prepossess Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb possess beforehand
  2. verb cause to be preoccupied
    • The idea of his failure prepossesses him
  3. verb make a positive impression (on someone) beforehand
    • A prepossessing appearance
  4. verb influence (somebody's) opinion in advance
    prejudice.

WordNet

Pre`pos*sess" transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Prepossessed ; present participle & verbal noun Prepossessing
Definitions
  1. To preoccupy, as ground or land; to take previous possession of. Dryden.
  2. 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. Evelyn.

Webster 1913