possessor

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [pɔsˈsɛs.sɔr]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [posˈsɛs.sor]^[1]

Forms

possessor m (genitive possessōris, feminine possestrīx); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from possideō “to possess” (participle ⟨possessus⟩) with the agent suffix -tor.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is Cicero, of a holder of land.^[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.^[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant a person who holds land or other property, an occupier, possessor, as in Cicero, and in Petronius one who has jurisdiction or military control over an area.^[2][4]

Medieval Latin used it absolutely for a landowner.^[5] British Medieval Latin applied it also to God.^[6] English possessor and French possesseur are from it.^[1]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a holder of property.^[2][3]
• before 66 AD – Petronius uses it of one controlling an area.^[2][3]

Meanings

Noun

1. A holder of land or property, occupier, possessor.^[2][4]
2. One who controls an area.^[2]
3. (Medieval Latin) A landowner.^[5]

Word family

• compossessor
• possessōrius

Related words

• possideō
• possessiō
• English possessor

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
6. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press