Po"tent , n.
1. A prince; a potentate. [Obs.]
Shak.
2. [See Potence.] A staff or crutch. [Obs.]
3. (Her.) One of the furs; a surface composed of patches which are supposed to represent crutch heads; they are always alternately argent and azure, unless otherwise specially
mentioned.
Counter potent (Her.), a fur differing from potent in the arrangement of the patches.
Po"tent (?), a. [L. potens, - entis, p. pr.
of posse to be able, to have power, fr. potis able, capable (akin to Skr. pati master, lord) + esse to be. See Host a landlord, Am, and cf. Despot, Podesta, Possible, Power,
Puissant.]
1.
Producing great physical effects; forcible; powerful' efficacious; as, a potent medicine. "Harsh and potent injuries."
Shak.
Moses once more his
potent rod
extends.
Milton. 2. Having great authority, control, or dominion; puissant; mighty; influential; as, a potent prince. "A potent dukedom."
Shak.
Most potent, grave, and reverend
signiors.
Shak. 3. Powerful, in an intellectual or moral sense; having great influence; as, potent interest; a potent argument.
Cross potent. (Her.) See Illust. (7)
of Cross.
Syn. -- Powerful;
mighty; puissant; strong; able; efficient; forcible; efficacious; cogent; influential.
Hear it pronounced