posse

pos·se  (ps)

n.

1. A group of people summoned by a sheriff to aid in law enforcement.

2. A search party.

3. A gang involved in crimes such as running guns and illegal narcotics trafficking.

4. Slang A group of friends or associates.

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[Short for Medieval Latin posse comitts : Medieval Latin posse, power, body of men (from Latin, to be able; see potent) + comitts, genitive of comittus, county.]

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posse [poss-ee]

Noun

1. US a selected group of men on whom the sheriff may call for assistance

2. Informal a group of friends or associates: a posse of reporters

3. (in W Canada) a troop of horses and riders who perform at rodeos [Latin: to be able]

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Posse a company or force with legal authority; a strong band of persons, animals, etc.

Examples: posse of articles (literary), 1728; of constables, 1753; of enthusiasts; of hell, 1645; of mechanisation, 1797; of silent people, 1872; of policemen, 1884; of the rabble, 1678; of ranters; of sheriffs; of cock turkeys, 1841; of silly women.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

posse - a temporary police force posse comitatus constabulary, police, police force, law - the force of policemen and officers; "the law came looking for him" posseman - an able-bodied man serving as a member of a posse

Translations

posse [ˈpɔsɪ] n (US) → pelotón m

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posse [ˈpɔsɪ] n (US) → détachement m

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posse [ˈpɔsɪ] (US) n → (Polizei)truppe f

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posse [ˈpɔsɪ] n (US) → drappello