potence

American  

[poht-ns] / ˈpoʊt ns /

noun

1. potency.

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Etymology

Origin of potence

1375–1425; late Middle English < Old French < Latin potentia potency

Example Sentences

Conversely the Fr. potence, gallows, meant originally a bracket or support, Lat. potentia, power.

From The Romance of Words (4th ed.) by Weekley, Ernest

Without delay an advance was made en potence, and it was confidently anticipated that Stamboul would fall before the insurgent arms.

From Herzegovina Or, Omer Pacha and the Christian Rebels by Arbuthnot, George

Great, indeed, is the potence of "environment"; greater, by far, the potence of heredity.

From The Color Line A Brief in Behalf of the Unborn by Smith, William Benjamin

This is the theory of the importance of the individual, raised, so to speak, to its very highest potence.

From Social Rights And Duties Addresses to Ethical Societies Vol II by Stephen, Leslie

These three brigades formed the command of Major-General Henry; the whole of General Desha's division, consisting of two brigades, were formed en potence upon the left of Trotter.

From The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 by Jacquemart, Jules-Ferdinand