Found 2 items, similar to posse comitatus.
English → English (WordNet) Definition: posse comitatus posse comitatus n : a temporary police force [syn: posse]
English → English (gcide) Definition: Posse comitatus Posse comitatus \Pos"se com`i*ta"tus\ [L. posse to be able, to have power + LL. comitatus a county, from comes, comitis, a count. See County, and Power.] [1913 Webster] 1. (Law) The power of the county, or the citizens who may be summoned by the sheriff to assist the authorities in suppressing a riot, or executing any legal precept which is forcibly opposed. --Blackstone. [1913 Webster] 2. A collection of people; a throng; a rabble. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] Note: The word comitatus is often omitted, and posse alone used. “A whole posse of enthusiasts.” --Carlyle. [1913 Webster] As if the passion that rules were the sheriff of the place, and came off with all the posse. --Locke. [1913 Webster]