in esse

American

[in es-e, in es-ee] / ɪn ˈɛs ɛ, ɪn ˈɛs i /

adverb

Latin.

in being; in actuality; in actual existence (contrasted wiithin posse ).

in esse British

/ ɪn ˈɛsɪ /

adjective

actually existing Compare in posse

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of in esse

Latin, literally: in being

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I am possessed of two separate powers�the one in esse and the other in posse.

From Time Magazine Archive

I might as well join in the safe old tum, tum: A hero's an excellent loadstar,—but, bless ye, What infinite odds 'twixt a hero to come And your only too palpable hero in esse!

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 12, No. 73, November, 1863 by Various

Mr. Crosbie said, that Lord Monboddo believed the existence of every thing possible; in short, that all which is in posse might be found in esse.

From Life of Johnson, Volume 5 Tour to the Hebrides (1773) and Journey into North Wales (1774) by Boswell, James

The political economist, Mr. President, deals with property in esse, and producers employed.

From Money: Speech of Hon. John P. Jones, of Nevada, On the Free Coinage of Silver; in the United States Senate, May 12 and 13, 1890 by Jones, John P. (John Percival)

I say again that nothing better for lovers, in esse or in futuro, has ever been invented.

From Fr?d?rique; vol. 1 by Kock, Charles Paul de

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023