Crossword Genius

As before, have to charm (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

prepossess

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'charm' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with human feelings as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'as before have' is the wordplay.
'as before' becomes 'pre' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'have' becomes 'possess' (possessing is a kind of having).
'pre'+'possess'='PREPOSSESS'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for prepossess that I've seen before include "Bias favourably" , "Influence" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app