possessive

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Wanting to control someone and not share them with others.

   He became jealous and possessive of his girlfriend.

2. 2
   adj

   Unwilling to share or give up what you own.

   The toddler is very possessive of his toys.

3. 3
   adj

   In grammar, showing ownership.

   "My" and "your" are possessive pronouns.

4. 4
   noun

   In grammar, a word or form that shows ownership.

   In "the dog's bone," "dog's" is a possessive.

From Middle French possessif, from Latin possessivus (“of or pertaining to possession”), from possessiō (“possessing”), from possidēre (“to possess”). By surface analysis, possess + -ive.

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