repoˈssession
(riː-)
[re- 5 a: cf. repossess v.]
1. Recovery; renewed possession. Also spec., the recovery of goods being bought by hire-purchase when a purchaser defaults on his payments; legal proceedings to effect this. Also attrib.
| 1582–8 Hist. James VI (Bann.) 211 They had the money present to rander to the King and his estaits for laughfull restitution and repossessioun [of Orkney and Zetland]. 1602 Warner Alb. Eng. Epit. (1612) 370 Egelred, now called out of Normandie to the Repossession of his Kingdome. 1652 J. Taylor (Water P.) Journ. Wales (1859) 34 Meredith..fought for repossession, and after much bloudshed, lost his labour. 1795 Ld. Grenville in Eng. Hist. Rev. Apr. (1903) 297 To effect for him the repossession of the territories of which he has been divested. 1853 Grote Greece ii. lxxxvi. XI. 305 They had long been anxious for its repossession, and had even besieged it five years before. 1938 Sun (Baltimore) 26 Feb. 18/1 Some used-car dealers..employ thugs to beat up customers, if necessary, in repossession activities. 1972 Mod. Law Rev. XXXV. i. 24 This balance of power could be achieved if retailers' claims for debt are abolished, leaving repossession or an adverse credit report as the sanctions against non-payment. 1977 Field 13 Jan. 40/2 If an occupier refuses an offer of suitable housing, it may provide ground for repossession by the farmer. |
† 2. Restoration, reinstatement. Obs. rare.
| 1598 (title) A Briefe Narration of the possession, dispossession and repossession of William Sommers. 1643 R. Baillie Lett. & Jrnls. (1841) II. 53 Upon the parties humble penitence, and Mr. Gilbert's peaceable repossession, we resolved [etc.]. |