posse

Meaning

1. A group or company of people, originally especially one having hostile intent; a throng, a crowd.
2. A group of people summoned to help law enforcement.
3. A search party.
4. (slang) A criminal gang.
5. (colloquial) A group of (especially young) people seen as constituting a peer group or band of associates; a gang, a group of friends.

Synonyms

posse comitatus

band

pursuer

search party

vigilantes

pursuing party

armed band

police force

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈpɒ.si/

Etymology

Ellipsis of posse comitatus.