Po"tent (?), a. [L. potens, -entis, p. pr. of posse to be able, to have power, fr. potis able, capable (akin to Skr. pati master, lord) + esse to be. See Host a landlord, Am, and cf. Despot, Podesta, Possible, Power, Puissant.]

1.

Producing great physical effects; forcible; powerful' efficacious; as, a potent medicine.

"Harsh and potent injuries."

Shak.

Moses once more his potent rod extends. Milton.

2.

Having great authority, control, or dominion; puissant; mighty; influential; as, a potent prince.

"A potent dukedom."

Shak.

Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors. Shak.

3.

Powerful, in an intellectual or moral sense; having great influence; as, potent interest; a potent argument.

Cross potent. Her. See Illust. (7) of Cross.

Syn. -- Powerful; mighty; puissant; strong; able; efficient; forcible; efficacious; cogent; influential.

 

© Webster 1913.


Po"tent, n.

1.

A prince; a potentate.

[Obs.]

Shak.

2. [See Potence.]

A staff or crutch.

[Obs.]

3. Her.

One of the furs; a surface composed of patches which are supposed to represent crutch heads; they are always alternately argent and azure, unless otherwise specially mentioned.

Counter potent Her., a fur differing from potent in the arrangement of the patches.

 

© Webster 1913.

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