† inˈsession Obs.
[ad. late L. insessiōn-em, n. of action f. insidēre to sit in, f. in- (in-2) + sedēre to sit. Cf. It. insessioni ‘certain bathing medicines’ (Florio).]
1. The action of sitting in a bath.
| 1652 French Yorksh. Spa iv. 49 The second way of using water outwardly is called insession or sitting in water up to the navel. 1684 tr. Bonet's Merc. Compit. x. 365 An insession in Bath-waters, and Pumping upon the place affected. [1855 Mayne Expos. Lex., Insessio, old term for the state of sitting over the vapour of a hot bath; insession.] |
b. A bath in which the patient sits with the lower part of the body immersed in water or some other liquid; a hip-bath or sitz-bath.
| 1559 Morwyng Evonym. 367 Fuchsius and other wryt of fomentacions, apposicions, embroches, litle bags and insessions. 1590 P. Barrough Meth. Physick iii. xxxviii. (1639) 163 You must release and loosen the reines..with foments, cataplasmes and insessions. 1601 Holland Pliny Expl. Words Art, Insessions be bathing tubs or vessels halfe full wherein the patient may sit vp to the middle or aboue in some conuenient decoction. 1657 Tomlinson Renou's Disp. 187 Some make Insessions of the decoction of Tripes to cure the exsiccation..of the belly. |
2. Inhabitation, indwelling (by a spirit). rare—1.
| a 1641 Bp. R. Montagu Acts & Mon. (1642) 191 The Prophets have by Him Illumination and Insession. He takes possession of their soule, dwelling in them. |