POTENT

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Latin ~-, potens (present participle of posse to be able), from Latin potis, pote able; akin to Gothic brūthfaths bridegroom, Greek posis husband, Sanskrit pati master Date: 15th century having or wielding force, authority, or influence ; powerful , achieving or bringing about a particular result ; effective , 3. chemically or medicinally effective , rich in a characteristic constituent , able to copulate, ~ly adverb II. adjective Etymology: obsolete English ~ crutch Date: 1610 having flat bars across the ends of the arms