PREPOSSESS • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Prepossess

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verb

Prepossess v. t. (past & past part. prepossessed; pres. part. prepossessing)

To preoccupy, as ground or land; to take previous possession of.

To preoccupy, as the mind or heart, so as to preclude other things; hence, to bias or prejudice; to give a previous inclination to, for or against anything; esp., to induce a favorable opinion beforehand, or at the outset. "It created him enemies, and prepossessed the lord general."

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Etymology of 'Prepossess'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Prepossess" Quotes from Famous Books

... prepossess people in our favour at first sight; more time being necessary to discover greater talents. Good-breeding, however, does not consist in low bows, and formal ceremony; but in an easy civil, and ...

— The Young Gentleman and Lady's Monitor, and English Teacher's Assistant • John Hamilton Moore

... commander of the squadron should be a man of superior abilities; his character, his patriotism, are important points. I have never seen M. de Guichen, but the reports I have heard of his worth and modesty prepossess me strongly in his favour. Being then at the Island of Aix with our detachment, and the squadron that is to transport it, the next question is how to act, and our movements must depend entirely upon circumstances. According to the first ...

— Memoirs, Correspondence and Manuscripts of General Lafayette • Lafayette

... Conscience-harry'd, weak-headed Wretch, had he been under the Horror of the Guilt, and terrify'd with the Dangers that were before him at that time, we might suggest that he was over-run with the Vapours, that the Terrors which were upon his Mind disorder'd him, that his Head was delirious and prepossess'd, and that his Fancy only plac'd Caesar so continually in his Eye, that it realiz'd him to his Imagination, and he believ'd he saw him; with many other suggested Difficulties to invalidate the Story, and render ...

— The History of the Devil - As Well Ancient as Modern: In Two Parts • Daniel Defoe