in posse

US/ɪnˈpɑsi/

adjective

In possibility, having a potential to exist, in potential but not in actuality, (contradistinguished by in esse)

OriginLatin in posse →
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Meanings

adjectivein posse (not comparable)
  1. not comparableIn possibility, having a potential to exist, in potential but not in actuality, (contradistinguished by in esse)
adverbin posse (not comparable)
  1. not comparableIn possibility, having a potential to exist, in potential but not in actuality, (contradistinguished by in esse).

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
potentially

Origin

  1. Latinin posse
  2. Englishin posse

Borrowed from Latin in posse, from in (“in”) + posse (“to be able; can”).

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

in posse. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in%20posse

MLA

“in posse.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in%20posse. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “in posse,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in%20posse.

Source: in posse on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.