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Webster 1913 Edition

Potent

Po′tent

,
Adj.
[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.
Shakespeare
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.

Po′tent

,
Noun.
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.

Webster 1828 Edition

Potent

PO'TENT

,
Adj.
[L. potens.] Powerful; physically strong; forcible; efficacious; as a potent medicine.
Moses once more his potent rod extends.
1.
Powerful, in a moral sense; having great influence; as potent interest; a potent argument.
2.
Having great authority, control or dominion; as a potent prince.

PO'TENT

,
Noun.
A prince; a potentate. [Not in use.]
1.
A walking staff or crutch. [Not used.]

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