Hypertext Webster Gateway: "potent"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Potent \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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Potent \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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
potent
adj 1: having the power to influence or convince; "a cogent
analysis of the problem"; "potent arguments" [syn: {cogent},
{powerful}]
2: having or wielding force or authority; "providing the ground
soldier with increasingly potent weapons" [syn: {strong}]
3: having a strong physiological or chemical effect; "a potent
toxin"; "potent liquor"; "a potent cup of tea" [syn: {strong}]
[ant: {impotent}]
4: (of a male) able to copulate [syn: {virile}] [ant: {impotent}]
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