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Webster 1913 Edition

Prepossess

Preˊpos-sess′

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Prepossessed
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Prepossessing
.]
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 1828 Edition

Prepossess

PREPOSSESS'

,
Verb.
T.
[pre and possess.] To preoccupy, as ground or land; to take previous possession of.
1.
To preoccupy the mind or heart so as to preclude other things; hence, to bias or prejudice. A mind prepossessed with opinions favorable to a person or cause, will not readily admit unfavorable opinions to take possession, nor yield to reasons that disturb the possessors. When a lady has prepossessed the heart or affections of a man, he does not readily listen to suggestions that tend to remove the prepossession. Prepossess is more frequently used in a good sense than prejudice.

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