pəˌtenchēˈaləd.ē, pōˌ-, -ətē, -i also (ˌ)pōˌtenˈcha- or pəˌtenˈcha- noun
( -es )
Etymology: Medieval Latin potentialitat-, potentialitas, from Late Latin potentialis potential, powerful + Latin -itat-, -itas -ity
1. : the capacity or possibility for changing or developing into a state of actuality
the magnificent richness of human potentiality and the paltriness of human achievement — Paul Pickrel
economic potentiality
growth potentiality
propaganda potentiality
war potentiality
2. : potential 1
present at birth as potentialities which later grow and develop — Abram Kardiner
possible risks which have been seized upon as actualities when they have been merely potentialities — T.S.Eliot
3. archaic : the quality or state of being potent
I have the power, the potentiality of walking — S.T.Coleridge