POS'POLITE, n. A kind of militia in Poland, consisting of the gentry, who in case of invasion, are summoned to arms for the defense of the country.
Posse comitatus, in law, the power of the country, or the citizens, who are summoned to assist an officer in suppressing a riot, or executing any legal precept which is forcibly opposed. The word comitatus is often omitted, and posse alone is used in the same sense.
1. In low language, a number or crowd of people; a rabble.
