Hypertext Webster Gateway: "potential"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Potential \Po*ten"tial\, n.
1. Anything that may be possible; a possibility; potentially.
--Bacon.

2. (Math.) In the theory of gravitation, or of other forces
acting in space, a function of the rectangular coordinates
which determine the position of a point, such that its
differential coefficients with respect to the
co["o]rdinates are equal to the components of the force at
the point considered; -- also called {potential function},
or {force function}. It is called also {Newtonian
potential} when the force is directed to a fixed center
and is inversely as the square of the distance from the
center.

3. (Elec.) The energy of an electrical charge measured by its
power to do work; hence, the degree of electrification as
referred to some standard, as that of the earth;
electro-motive force.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Potential \Po*ten"tial\, a. [Cf. F. potentiel. See {Potency}.]
1. Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result;
efficacious; influential. [Obs.] ``And hath in his effect
a voice potential.'' --Shak.

2. Existing in possibility, not in actuality. ``A potential
hero.'' --Carlyle.

Potential existence means merely that the thing may
be at ome time; actual existence, that it now is.
--Sir W.
Hamilton.

{Potential cautery}. See under {Cautery}.

{Potential energy}. (Mech.) See the Note under {Energy}.

{Potential mood}, or {mode} (Gram.), that form of the verb
which is used to express possibility, liberty, power,
will, obligation, or necessity, by the use of may, can,
must, might, could, would, or should; as, I may go; he can
write.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

potential
adj 1: existing in possibility; "a potential problem"; "possible
uses of nuclear poser" [syn: {possible}] [ant: {actual}]
2: expected to become or be; in prospect; "potential clients";
"expected income" [syn: {expected}, {likely}]
n 1: the inherent capacity for coming into being [syn: {potentiality},
{potency}]
2: the difference in electrical charge between two points in a
circuit expressed in volts [syn: {electric potential}, {potential
difference}, {potential drop}, {voltage}]


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