in posse

American  

[in pos-e, in pos-ee] / ɪn ˈpɒs ɛ, ɪn ˈpɒs i /

adverb

Latin.

1. in possibility; potentially (contrasted with in esse).

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in posse British  

/ ɪn ˈpɒsɪ /

adjective

1. possible; potential Compare in esse

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Etymology

Origin of in posse

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

in posse

Now Sir Robert Peel thinks better of natural history, chemistry, and astronomy than of such ethics; but these too, what are they more than divinity in posse?

From An Essay In Aid Of A Grammar Of Assent by Newman, John Henry

However, it does with me; and, consequently, I presume the children are also only in posse.

From The Eclipse of Faith Or, A Visit To A Religious Sceptic by Rogers, Henry

But living on things in posse is as good as living in the actual, so long as our credit remains good.

From Essays in Radical Empiricism by James, William

From a distance, say from under the verandah of a comfortable hotel, when the climber in posse indicates the way he would pursue with the end of his cigar, they are absurdly easy.

From Above the Snow Line by Dent, Clinton Thomas

Therefore, of good workmen in posse we make bad clerks and shopmen in esse; of good clerks detestable little bureaucrats or mean-minded commercial men, and so on.

From A Poor Man's House by Reynolds, Stephen Sydney