I. ˈpōt ə nt noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, crutch, support, modification of Middle French potence crutch, gibbet
1. archaic : support , stay
2. : a heraldic fur consisting of rows of interlocking upright and inverted short-stemmed T-shaped panes alternately argent and azure unless other tinctures are specified and so placed one beneath another that each pane stands head to head or foot to foot with one of the other tinctures
II. adjective
Etymology: obsolete English potent, n., crutch, from Middle English, crutch, support
of a heraldic cross : having flat bars across the ends of the arms — see cross illustration
III. adjective
Etymology: Middle English (Scots), from Latin potent-, potens (used as present participle of posse to be able, from potis esse, from potis able, capable + esse to be), present participle of (assumed) Old Latin potēre to be powerful, be able, from Latin potis able, capable; akin to Gothic brūth faths bridegroom, Greek posis husband, Sanskrit pati master
1. : having or wielding strength, force, or authority : powerful , strong
increasing the capabilities of the ground soldier by providing him with increasingly potent weapons — W.P.Corderman
mixing the players of the first two teams would produce a potent offensive — Eddie Beachler
received the potent machine endorsement as candidate for secretary of state — Blanton Fortson
2.
a. : having or wielding influence : possessing the capacity to mold or alter thought or feeling : cogent , affective
a numerically inferior but intellectually potent group — K.S.Davis
still more potent arguments for ending the struggle were found in the suffering caused by the … famine — W.C.Ford
music is perhaps the most potent agent for … inducing men to forget their differences — Jane Addams
b. : producing or capable of producing an effect or result : pregnant , instrumental , causal
deals with what he looks upon as a potent factor in delinquency — Winfred Overholser
the most potent and characteristic phase of the whole industrial revolution, the connection of iron with coal — G.M.Trevelyan
3.
a. : chemically or medicinally effective : efficacious
nearly doubled the period during which the vaccine could be kept potent — V.G.Heiser
b. : rich in a characteristic ingredient : strong
potent tea
a potent drink
4. : able to copulate — usually used of the male
IV. noun
1. obsolete : one having power or authority : potentate
2. obsolete : a formal military order : warrant