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Webster 1913 Edition


Obsession

Ob-ses′sion

,
Noun.
[L.
obsessio
: cf. F.
obsession
.]
1.
The act of besieging.
[archaic]
Johnson.
2.
The state of being besieged; – used specifically of a person beset by a spirit from without.
[archaic]
Tylor.
Whether by
obsession
or possession, I will not determine.
Burton.

Webster 1828 Edition


Obsession

OBSESS'ION

,
Noun.
[L. obsessio.] The act of besieging; the first attack of Satan antecedent to possession. [Little used.]

Definition 2024


obsession

obsession

English

Noun

obsession (countable and uncountable, plural obsessions)

  1. A compulsive or irrational preoccupation.
  2. An unhealthy fixation.
  3. Influence or control by evil spirits without possession.
    • 1973, Jessie Penn-Lewis, Evan Roberts, War on the Saints, ISBN 0913926043.
      if an evil spirit counterfeits the presence of God, and comes upon the man as an influence only, it may be described as obsession; but when a footing is gained in him, it is "possession," because the obsessing spirits have gained access, and possess the ground they hold, up to the extent of the ground given.
    • 1999, Mary E. McDonough, God's Plan of Redemption, page 85, ISBN 0736307184.
      They should see that a perception of their identification with the Victor of Calvary is absolutely necessary if they are to constantly and victoriously resist the obsession of evil spirits.
    • 2007, James E. Padgett, The Teachings of Jesus, page 100, ISBN 1430303913.
      It is true, that by the workings of the law of attraction, and the susceptibility of mortals to the influence of spirit powers, mortals may become obsessed by the spirits of evil—that is evil spirits of men who once lived on earth—and this obsession may become so complete and powerful that the living mortal may lose all power to resist this influence of the evil spirits...

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Translations

External links

  • obsession in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • obsession in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

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French

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ɔp.se.sjɔ̃/

Noun

obsession f (plural obsessions)

  1. obsession

Related terms

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