[po.tent] adj [ME, fr. L potent-, potens (prp. of posse to be able), fr. L potis, pote able; akin to Goth bruthfaths bridegroom, Gk posis husband, Skt pati master] (15c) 1: having or wielding force, authority, or influence: powerful
2: achieving or bringing about a particular result: effective 3 a: chemically or medicinally effective "a ~ vaccine" b: rich in a characteristic constituent
4: able to copulate--usu. used of the male -- po.tent.ly adv
[2]potent adj [obs. E potent crutch] (1610) of a heraldic cross: having flat bars across the ends of the arms--see cross illustration