/pow"euhr/ , n.
1. ability to do or act; capability of doing or accomplishing something.
2. political or national strength: the balance of power in Europe.
3. great or marked ability to do or act; strength; might; force.
4. the possession of control or command over others; authority; ascendancy: power over men's minds.
5. political ascendancy or control in the government of a country, state, etc.: They attained power by overthrowing the legal government.
6. legal ability, capacity, or authority: the power of attorney.
7. delegated authority; authority granted to a person or persons in a particular office or capacity: the powers of the president.
8. a document or written statement conferring legal authority.
9. a person or thing that possesses or exercises authority or influence.
10. a state or nation having international authority or influence: The great powers held an international conference.
11. a military or naval force: The Spanish Armada was a mighty power.
12. Often, powers . a deity; divinity: the heavenly powers.
13. powers , Theol. an order of angels. Cf. angel (def. 1).
14. Dial. a large number or amount: There's a power of good eatin' at the church social.
15. Physics.
a. work done or energy transferred per unit of time. Symbol: P
b. the time rate of doing work.
16. mechanical energy as distinguished from hand labor: a loom driven by power.
17. a particular form of mechanical or physical energy: hydroelectric power.
18. energy, force, or momentum: The door slammed shut, seemingly under its own power.
19. Math.
a. the product obtained by multiplying a quantity by itself one or more times: The third power of 2 is 8.
b. (of a number x ) a number whose logarithm is a times the logarithm of x (and is called the a th power of x ). Symbolically, y = x a is a number that satisfies the equation log y = a log x.
c. the exponent of an expression, as a in x a .
d. See cardinal number (def. 2).
20. Optics.
a. the magnifying capacity of a microscope, telescope, etc., expressed as the ratio of the diameter of the image to the diameter of the object. Cf. magnification (def. 2).
b. the reciprocal of the focal length of a lens.
21. the powers that be , those in supreme command; the authorities: The decision is in the hands of the powers that be.
v.t.
22. to supply with electricity or other means of power: Atomic energy powers the new submarines.
23. to give power to; make powerful: An outstanding quarterback powered the team in its upset victory.
24. to inspire; spur; sustain: A strong faith in divine goodness powers his life.
25. (of a fuel, engine, or any source able to do work) to supply force to operate (a machine): An electric motor powers this drill.
26. to drive or push by applying power: She powered the car expertly up the winding mountain road.
27. power down , Computers. to shut off.
28. power up , Computers. to turn on.
adj.
29. operated or driven by a motor or electricity: a power mower; power tools.
30. power-assisted: His new car has power brakes and power windows.
31. conducting electricity: a power cable.
32. Informal. expressing or exerting power; characteristic of those having authority or influence: to host a power lunch.
[ 1250-1300; ME pouer ( e ), poer ( e ) poueir, poer, n. use of inf.: to be able potere (r. L posse to be able, have power). See POTENT 1 ]
Syn. 1. capacity. 3. energy. See strength. 4, 5. sway, rule, sovereignty.
Ant. 1. incapacity. 3. weakness.