English

Noun

posse comitatus ‎(uncountable)

1. (historical) The able-bodied men over 15 in a given county who can be summoned by the sheriff to help keep the peace, or arrest a felon; also a group of men so gathered.
   • 1849, Henry David Thoreau, Resistance to Civil Government:

     They are the standing army, and the militia, jailers, constables, posse comitatus, etc.

2. (figuratively) Any band of men, especially armed or hostile.
   • 1819, Lord Byron, Don Juan, I:

     With him retired his ‘posse comitatus,’ / The attorney last, who linger'd near the door / Reluctantly [...].