Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Of, relating to, or having possession.
  • adjective Law Depending on or arising from possession.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Pertaining to possession.
  • Having possession: as, a possessory lord.
  • In law, arising from possession: as, a possessory interest.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Of or pertaining to possession, either as a fact or a right; of the nature of possession
  • adjective (Law) an action to regain or obtain possession of something. See under Petitory.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Of, pertaining to, having or arising from possession

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Ms Watson is understood to have bought most of the site in a normal freehold transaction, using what is known as a title possessory order to gain ownership of the rest.

    unknown title 2009

  • Ms Watson is understood to have bought most of the site in a normal freehold transaction, using what is known as a title possessory order to gain ownership of the rest.

    unknown title 2009

  • Now, if the contract does not contain the condition of delivery at the same time — as a pactum re initum — and consequently an interval of time intervenes between the conclusion of the contract and the taking possession of the object of acquisition, I cannot obtain possession of it during this interval otherwise than by exercising the particular juridical activity called a possessory act (actum possessorium), which constitutes a special contract.

    The Science of Right 1790

  • This will leave many voters scratching their heads wondering "What the heck is a possessory interest?" or "Is this related to possums?"

    Aaron Harber: Ballot Bedlam Aaron Harber 2010

  • At the other extreme, proposed Constitutional Amendment R asks voters if they want to approve "an exemption from property taxation for a possessory interest."

    Aaron Harber: Ballot Bedlam Aaron Harber 2010

  • But he says not all property interests are possessory.

    Archive 2009-10-01 Rebecca Tushnet 2009

  • But he says not all property interests are possessory.

    WIPIP at Seton Hall part 4 Rebecca Tushnet 2009

  • At the other extreme, proposed Constitutional Amendment R asks voters if they want to approve "an exemption from property taxation for a possessory interest."

    Aaron Harber: Ballot Bedlam Aaron Harber 2010

  • Trade secret: we talk about controlling disclosure in a way consistent with a possessory interest.

    IPSC: daily double--theory Rebecca Tushnet 2009

  • Trade secret: we talk about controlling disclosure in a way consistent with a possessory interest.

    Archive 2009-08-01 Rebecca Tushnet 2009

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