PREPOSSESSION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does prepossession mean? 

• PREPOSSESSION (noun)
  The noun PREPOSSESSION has 2 senses:

1. the condition of being prepossessed

2. an opinion formed beforehand without adequate evidence

  Familiarity information: PREPOSSESSION used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PREPOSSESSION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The condition of being prepossessed

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Context example:

the king's prepossession in my favor is very valuable

Hypernyms ("prepossession" is a kind of...):

condition; status (a state at a particular time)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An opinion formed beforehand without adequate evidence

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

parti pris; preconceived idea; preconceived notion; preconceived opinion; preconception; prepossession

Context example:

he did not even try to confirm his preconceptions

Hypernyms ("prepossession" is a kind of...):

opinion; persuasion; sentiment; thought; view (a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty)

Derivation:

prepossess (influence (somebody's) opinion in advance)

 Context examples 

If she suspected ANY prepossession elsewhere, it could not be in THAT quarter.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

The notice was too short after so long a prepossession the other way.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

It opens his designs to his family, it introduces you among them, it diffuses through the party those pleasantest feelings of our nature, eager curiosity and warm prepossession.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

She could not help thinking much of the extraordinary circumstances attending their acquaintance, of the right which he seemed to have to interest her, by everything in situation, by his own sentiments, by his early prepossession.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Pleased with the preference of one, and offended by the neglect of the other, on the very beginning of our acquaintance, I have courted prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason away, where either were concerned.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

His regard for her, infinitely surpassing anything that Willoughby ever felt or feigned, as much more warm, as more sincere or constant—which ever we are to call it—has subsisted through all the knowledge of dear Marianne's unhappy prepossession for that worthless young man!—and without selfishness—without encouraging a hope!—could he have seen her happy with another—Such a noble mind!—such openness, such sincerity!—no one can be deceived in HIM.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

As to her younger daughters, she could not take upon her to say—she could not positively answer—but she did not know of any prepossession; her eldest daughter, she must just mention—she felt it incumbent on her to hint, was likely to be very soon engaged.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)