posse

[pos-ee]

noun

1. posse comitatus.

2. a body or force armed with legal authority.

3. Slang.,  a group of friends or associates.

   hanging out with your posse; a posse of drug dealers.

posse

/ ˈpɒsɪ /

noun

1. Also called: posse comitatus. the able-bodied men of a district assembled together and forming a group upon whom the sheriff may call for assistance in maintaining law and order

2. law possibility (esp in the phrase in posse )

3. slang,  a Jamaican street gang in the US

4. informal,  a group of friends or associates

Word History and Origins

Origin of posse¹

First recorded in 1575–85; from Medieval Latin posse “power, force,” noun use of Latin infinitive: “to be able, have power,” contraction of potis “able” + esse “to be”; potent ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of posse¹

C16: from Medieval Latin (n): power, strength, from Latin (vb): to be able, have power

Example Sentences

“There is a law on the books, confirmed by the Constitution, called ‘posse comitatus,’” Pritzker told reporters earlier this month.

From Salon

Swift’s worldwide Eras tour continued, but she became a fixture at Chiefs games whenever possible, bringing along a posse of famous friends to hang with the Kelce family in their Arrowhead Stadium box seats.

From Salon

But when Gaga and her posse arrive at their destination across town, the same young woman has beaten them there, and waits with a sharpie and a photo.

From Salon

Since his posse won’t admit the truth, I will: It sucks.

From Los Angeles Times

“There is a law on the books, confirmed by the Constitution, called ‘posse comitatus,'” Pritzker said.

From Salon

Related Words

• detachment