/
ˈpɒsi/
n.
- N. Amer. historical a body of men summoned by a sheriff to enforce the law.
-
(also posse comitatus
/ˌkɒmɪˈteɪtəs/
)
Brit. historical the body of men above the age of fifteen in a county, whom the sheriff could summon to repress a riot or for other purposes.
[comitatus from med. L., ‘of the county’.]
- informal a group of people with a common characteristic, interest, or purpose.
Etymology
C17: from med. L., lit. ‘power’, from L. posse ‘be able’.