POSSE Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

posse

[ pos-ee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

posse comitatus.
a body or force armed with legal authority.
Slang. a group of friends or associates:
hanging out with your posse; a posse of drug dealers.

posse

/ ˈ��ɒ��ɪ /

noun

Also calledposse 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
law possibility (esp in the phrase in posse )
slang.
a Jamaican street gang in the US
informal.
a group of friends or associates

Discover More

51�Թ� 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

Discover More

51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of posse¹

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

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Their destination is Mexico, but they’ve got pursuers in the form of a posse led by a steadfast, morosely philosophical U.S.

From

Elinor and her posse deserve more fulfilling lives, and with the help of canny Madame Restell, they manage to make their dreams come true on their own terms.

From

He doesn't posses the game-breaking wonders of Graham, but he's a reliable and intelligent footballer.

From

It’s hard to say which is the more appalling: the recklessness or the heartlessness with which Musk and his preternaturally powerful posse of 20-somethings are scything their way through Washington.

From

In this, he shares a vision with his tech bro posse.

From

Related 51�Թ�s

detachment

poss.posse comitatus

Browse