6 ADJ You use possible in expressions such as ' if possible ' and ' if at all possible ' when stating a wish or intention, to show that although this is what you really want, you may have to accept something different. [POLITENESS ] □ I need to see you, right away if possible. □ …the moral duty to uphold peace if at all possible.
7 ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe someone as, for example, a possible Prime Minister, you mean that they may become Prime Minister. □ Bradley has been considered a possible presidential contender himself. ● N‑COUNT Possible is also a noun. □ Kennedy was tipped as a presidential possible.
8 N‑SING The possible is everything that can be done in a situation. □ He is a democrat with the skill, nerve, and ingenuity to push the limits of the possible.
pos|sibly ◆◆◇ /pɒ s I bli/
1 ADV [ADV with v] You use possibly to indicate that you are not sure whether something is true or might happen. [VAGUENESS ] □ Exercise will not only lower blood pressure but possibly protect against heart attacks. □ They were smartly but casually dressed; possibly students. □ Do you think that he could possibly be right?
2 ADV [ADV before v] You use possibly to emphasize that you are surprised, puzzled, or shocked by something that you have seen or heard. [EMPHASIS ] □ It was the most unexpected piece of news one could possibly imagine.
3 ADV [ADV before v] You use possibly to emphasize that someone has tried their hardest to do something, or has done it as well as they can. [EMPHASIS ] □ They've done everything they can possibly think of.
4 ADV [ADV before v] You use possibly to emphasize that something definitely cannot happen or definitely cannot be done. [EMPHASIS ] □ No I really can't possibly answer that! SYNONYMS possibly ADV 1
maybe: I do think about having children, maybe when I'm 40.
perhaps: Perhaps, in time, the message will get through.
conceivably: The mission could conceivably be accomplished within a week.
pos|sum /pɒ səm/ (possums ) N‑COUNT A possum is the same as an opossum . [mainly AM , INFORMAL ]
post
➊ LETTERS, PARCELS, AND INFORMATION
➋ JOBS AND PLACES
➌ POLES
➊ post ◆◆◇ /poʊ st/ (posts , posting , posted )
1 N‑SING [oft by N ] The post is the public service or system by which letters and packages are collected and delivered. [mainly BRIT ] □ You'll receive your book through the post. □ The winner will be notified by post. □ The cheque is in the post. in AM, usually use mail 2 N‑UNCOUNT You can use post to refer to letters and packages that are delivered to you. [mainly BRIT ] □ He flipped through the post without opening any of it. □ There has been no post in three weeks. in AM, usually use mail 3 N‑UNCOUNT Post is used to refer to an occasion when letters or packages are delivered. For example, first post on a particular day is the first time that things are delivered. [mainly BRIT ] □ Entries must arrive by first post next Wednesday.
4 VERB If you post a letter or package, you send it to someone by putting it in a post box or by taking it to a post office. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] If I write a letter, would you post it for me? □ [V n n] I'm posting you a cheque tonight. □ [V n + to ] I posted a letter to Stanley saying I was an old Army friend. ● PHRASAL VERB Post off means the same as post . □ [V n P ] He'd left me to pack up the mail and post it off. □ [V P n] All you do is complete and post off a form. [in AM, usually use mail ]
5 VERB If you post notices, signs, or other pieces of information somewhere, you fix them to a wall or board so that everyone can see them. □ [V n] Officials began posting warning notices. □ [V n prep/adv] She has posted photographs on bulletin boards. ● PHRASAL VERB Post up means the same as post . □ [V n P ] He has posted a sign up that says 'No Fishing'. □ [V P n] We post up a set of rules for the house.
6 VERB If you post information on the internet, you make the information available to other people on the internet. [COMPUTING ] □ [be V -ed] This list will be posted on Times Online. ● N‑COUNT Post is also a noun □ His internet post about the incident got 20,000 'likes'.
7 PHRASE If you keep someone posted , you keep giving them the latest information about a situation that they are interested in. □ [+ on/with ] Keep me posted on your progress.
➋ post ◆◆◇ /poʊ st/ (posts , posting , posted )
1 N‑COUNT A post in a company or organization is a job or official position in it, usually one that involves responsibility. [FORMAL ] □ [+ as ] She had earlier resigned her post as President Menem's assistant. □ Sir Peter has held several senior military posts. [Also + of ]
2 VERB [usu passive] If you are posted somewhere, you are sent there by the organization that you work for and usually work there for several years. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] It is normal to spend two or three years working in this country before being posted overseas.
3 N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] You can use post to refer to the place where a soldier, guard, or other person has been told to remain and to do his or her job. □ Quick men, back to your post!
4 VERB If a soldier, guard, or other person is posted somewhere, they are told to stand there, in order to supervise an activity or guard a place. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] Police have now been posted outside all temples. □ [V n prep/adv] They had to post a signalman at the entrance to the tunnel. □ [V -ed] We have guards posted near the windows. [Also be V -ed]