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posse comitatus

   Also found in: Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.08 sec.
posse comitatus [ˌkɒmɪˈtɑːtəs]
n
(Law) the formal legal term for posse [1]
[Medieval Latin: strength (manpower) of the county]
Posse Comitatus the body of men over the age of fifteen which the sheriff of an English county could raise as a force in a crisis, 1285.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.posse comitatus - a temporary police force
posse
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


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
It being therefore evident that the supposition of a want of power to require the aid of the POSSE COMITATUS is entirely destitute of color, it will follow, that the conclusion which has been drawn from it, in its application to the authority of the federal government over the militia, is as uncandid as it is illogical.
Federalist Papers Authored by Alexander Hamilton by Hamilton, Alexander View in context
A good deal was said about sending for the sheriff; some hints were given about calling out the posse comitatus to avenge the insulted laws; and many of the citizens were collected, deliberating how to proceed.
The Pioneers by Cooper, James Fenimore View in context
They are the standing army, and the militia, jailers, constables, posse comitatus, etc.
Walden & on the Duty of Civil Disobedience by Thoreau, Henry David View in context
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