obsessed

[uh b-sest] /əbˈsɛst/

adjective

having an obsession (usually followed by with or by):

He is obsessed with eliminating guilt.

having or displaying signs of an obsession:

The audiophile entered the record store wearing an obsessed smile.

Origin

1835-45; obsess + -ed²

Related forms

self-obsessed, adjective

unobsessed, adjective

obsess

[uh b-ses] /əbˈsɛs/

verb (used with object)

to dominate or preoccupy the thoughts, feelings, or desires of (a person); beset, trouble, or haunt persistently or abnormally:

Suspicion obsessed him.

verb (used without object)

to think about something unceasingly or persistently; dwell obsessively upon something.

Origin

1495-1505; < Latin obsessus, past participle of obsidēre to occupy, frequent, besiege, equivalent to ob- ob- + -sid(ēre) combining form of sedēre to sit

Related forms

obsessingly, adverb

obsessor, noun

Can be confused

abscess, obsess.

Synonyms

1. possess, control, haunt.

Examples from the web for obsessed

Of course, the urge to get above it all has obsessed photographers since the invention of the camera.
He was obsessed with tradition and obsessed with overturning it.
And for riders obsessed with the vibrations of jacket-flapping velocity, there is no alternative.
He's obsessed with the monster, convinced it will come for him in the night.
We're obsessed with sylphlike slimness, yet heading toward obesity.
Eli became obsessed with the shape of one and asked us not to burn it.
She obsessed over fitness and appearance, was probably anorexic, and was never happy in her marriage.
She is abnormally obsessed with fear of wearing this collar.
Half the time, they don't even know what they're shooting-they're so obsessed with the latest gun, the latest camo pattern.
Cable companies appear to be obsessed with the pursuit of more revenue even if it means superfluous power consumption.

British Dictionary definitions for obsessed

obsess

/əbˈsɛs/

verb

(transitive; when passive, foll by with or by) to preoccupy completely; haunt

(intransitive; usually foll by on or over) to worry neurotically or obsessively; brood

Word Origin

C16: from Latin obsessus besieged, past participle of obsidēre, from ob- in front of + sedēre to sit

Word Origin and History for obsessed

adj.

mid-15c., "tormented, obsessed," past participle adjective from obsess. Originally especially "possessed" by a devil, etc.

obsess

c.1500, "to besiege," from Latin obsessus, past participle of obsidere "watch closely; besiege, occupy; stay, remain, abide" literally "sit opposite to," from ob "against" (see ob-) + sedere "sit" (see sedentary). Of evil spirits, "to haunt," from 1530s. Psychological sense is 20c. Related: Obsessed; obsessing.