I. pə-ˈten(t)-shəl 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 -ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)lē adverb
II. noun
Date: 1817
1.
a. : something that can develop or become actual
a potential for violence
b. : promise 2
2.
a. : any of various functions from which the intensity or the velocity at any point in a field may be readily calculated
b. : the work required to move a unit positive charge from a reference point (as at infinity) to a point in question
c. : potential difference