Legal Definitions - posse

Definition: Posse (pos-ee) is a Latin word that has multiple meanings:

1. A possibility. This means something that could happen or exist in the future. For example, "There is a posse that it might rain tomorrow."
2. Power or ability. This means having the capability to do something. For example, "She has the posse to lift heavy weights."
3. Posse comitatus. This refers to a group of citizens who are called upon by a sheriff or other law enforcement officer to help maintain order or pursue a criminal. For example, "The sheriff called upon a posse to help track down the escaped convict."

The examples illustrate the different meanings of the word posse. The first example shows posse as a possibility of rain in the future. The second example shows posse as the ability to lift heavy weights. The third example shows posse as a group of citizens called upon to help law enforcement.