/poht"n see/ , n. , pl. potencies for 4-6.
1. the state or quality of being potent.
2. power; authority.
3. efficacy; effectiveness; strength.
4. capacity to be, become, or develop; potentiality.
5. a person or thing exerting power or influence.
6. Math. See cardinal number (def. 2).
Also, potence .
[ 1530-40; potentia. See POTENT 1 , -ENCY ]
Syn. 1. strength, force, energy, capacity, potential.