prepossess

verb

pre·​pos·​sess ˌprē-pə-ˈzes 

 also  -ˈses

prepossessed; prepossessing; prepossesses

transitive verb

1

obsolete : to take previous possession of

2

: to cause to be preoccupied

3

: to influence beforehand especially favorably

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

prepossess

verb

pre·​pos·​sess ˌprē-pə-ˈzes 

1

: preoccupy sense 1

2

: to influence beforehand especially so as to win approval