n.
Pronunciation: p ə - ' ten(t)-sh ə l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English potencial, from Late Latin potentialis, from potentia potentiality, from Latin, power, from potent-, potens
Date: 14th century
1 : existing in possibility : capable of development into actuality < potential benefits>
2 : expressing possibility specifically : of, relating to, or constituting a verb phrase expressing possibility, liberty, or power by the use of an auxiliary with the infinitive of the verb (as in “ it may rain ” )
synonyms see LATENT
– po · ten · tial · ly \ - ' ten(t)-sh( ə -)l ē \ adverb