English Dictionary

Definition of “posse

posse (ˈpɒsɪPronunciation for posse

Definitions

noun

  1.  Also called posse comitatusUS 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 Origin

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

Usage examples

  • Yet here I was with them, my every whim catered for by a posse of servants.
    Harris, Elizabeth, Time of the Wolf (1994)
  • It didn't help when a posse of senior execs left the company and aired its views on the sharing bit.
    Business Today (2002)
  • Or Eminem as Osama bin Laden in battle fatigues, rapping with his posse.
    Courier, Sunday Mail (2002)
  • TELLY'S Ali G was crowned king of the cinema last night as a massive posse turned out for his movie premiere.
    Sun, News of the World (2002)
  • Suddenly, as it neared the Basilica, Elias and a posse of soldiers burst on to the scene and seized the body.
    Jepson, Tim, Umbria - the green heart of Italy (1989)

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