Where does “in posse” come from?

in posse (English) comes from Latin in posse, from Latin posse, from Latin potis, from Proto-Italic potis, from Proto-Indo-European pótis, from Proto-Indo-European ph₃tis, from Proto-Indo-European peh₃- — to drink.

in posse (English): in possibility, having a potential to exist, in...

Definitions

  1. in possibility, having a potential to exist, in...

Ancestry of “in posse”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinin posse—
2Latinpossepresent active infinitive of possum  "to be able...
3Latinpotisable, capable, possible
4Proto-Italicpotismaster, in control of
5Proto-Indo-Europeanpótismaster, ruler; husband
6Proto-Indo-Europeanph₃tis—
7Proto-Indo-Europeanpeh₃-to drink
Every word from Proto-Indo-European peh₃- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European ph₃tis →Every word from Proto-Indo-European pótis →