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Webster 1913 Edition


Potence

Po′tence

,
Noun.
[F., fr. LL.
potentia
staff, crutch, L., might, power. See
Potency
.]
Potency; capacity.
[R.]
Sir W. Hamilton.

Webster 1828 Edition


Potence

PO'TENCE

,
Noun.
In heraldry, a cross whose ends resemble the head of a crutch.

Definition 2024


potence

potence

English

Noun

potence (plural potences)

  1. power or strength; potency
  2. A stud that acts as a support of a pivot in a watch or clock

Related terms

Derived terms

External links

  • potence in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • potence in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

Czech

Noun

potence f

  1. potency

Related terms


French

Etymology

From Old French, a borrowing from Latin potentia.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /pɔtɑ̃s/

Noun

potence f (plural potences)

  1. (construction) post and braces
  2. gallows, gibbet (for hanging)

Usage notes

Beware that this is a false friend, meaning “gallows” (or similar wooden constructions), not “strength”.

Synonyms

Derived terms

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