posse comitatus

(Lit. the power of the county.] Law : A force or body which the sheriff of a county is empowered to raise in case of riot, po e ion kept on forcible entry, rescue, or other attempt to oppose or obstruct the execution of justice. *po e, v . t . [Po .] *pos-sede, v . t. [Lat. po ideo.] To po e . poş-şě ', *pos-se e, v . t . & i. [Lat. po e us, pa. par. of po ideo to po e ; Fr. po éder ; Ital. po edere; Sp. poseer; Port. po uir.] A. Transitive : 1. To occupy in person; to have or hold actually in person; to hold as occupant. "This king, that now the crown po e 'd ."