POSSE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does posse mean? 

• POSSE (noun)
  The noun POSSE has 1 sense:

1. a temporary police force

  Familiarity information: POSSE used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• POSSE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A temporary police force

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Synonyms:

posse; posse comitatus

Hypernyms ("posse" is a kind of...):

constabulary; law; police; police force (the force of policemen and officers)

Meronyms (members of "posse"):

posseman (an able-bodied man serving as a member of a posse)

 Context examples 

For when the deed was done this foul and base wretch fled to sanctuary at St. Cross, and I, as you may think, after him with all the posse.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Allow me to offer my inquiries with reference to the physical welfare of Mrs. Copperfield in esse, and Mrs. Traddles in posse,—presuming, that is to say, that my friend Mr. Traddles is not yet united to the object of his affections, for weal and for woe.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

It shall never be said, whilst I am bailiff of Southampton, that any waster, riever, draw-latch or murtherer came scathless away from me and my posse.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)