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.
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.
