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.