Prepossesses

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To influence someone's opinion or attitude in advance by creating a favorable impression
2. To cause an individual to have a positive bias or expectation before encountering something
3. To shape a person's feelings or thoughts ahead of time by presenting a pleasing or convincing idea

Etymology: "Prepossesses" is the third-person singular present form of "prepossess," so it describes a single subject doing the action now. The base verb joins the prefix pre-, meaning "before," with "possess." Its ancestor is the Late Latin "prepossessus," meaning "seized beforehand." The English verb keeps that literal idea of taking hold ahead of time. A mind can be seized by an impression before any evidence arrives, and that early grip is what the verb names. The favorable tone in its modern sense grows from that head start: whoever makes the first impression occupies the listener's opinion before rivals can.

Synonyms: influence, captivate, enthrall, charm, engross

Antonyms: repel, disinterest, alienate, bore, dissatisfy