posse comitatus
[ pos-ee kom-i-tah-tuh s, -tey- ]
/ ˈpɒs i ˌkɒm ɪˈtɑ təs, -ˈteɪ- /
noun
the body of persons that a peace officer of a county is empowered to call upon for assistance in preserving the peace, making arrests, and serving writs.
a body of persons so called into service.
Origin of posse comitatus
1620–30; < Medieval Latin: posse of the county
Words nearby posse comitatus
posole,
posology,
poss,
poss.,
posse,
posse comitatus,
posser,
possess,
possessed,
possessed by,
possessed, the
Example sentences from the Web for posse comitatus
All he did was to reduce the report of the doctors to writing, and to return to his office with his posse-comitatus at his heels.
My Miscellanies, Vol. 2 (of 2) |Wilkie Collins
British Dictionary definitions for posse comitatus
Word Origin for posse comitatus
Medieval Latin: strength (manpower) of the county