potestas
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of potestas
First recorded in 1650–60, potestas is from the Latin word potestās literally, power, control, authority
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Some enslaved people were sold into bondage through patria potestas.
From Textbooks ● Apr. 19, 2023
The patria potestas, the authority of the father, was absolute.
From Salon ● Oct. 23, 2022
On the headboard of one of the beds, some past student had inscribed, with a Sharpie and a careful hand: ipsa scientia potestas est.
From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon
In Australia, as we have seen, the change from matria to patria potestas had but little influence in bringing about a change in the rule of descent.
From Kinship Organisations and Group Marriage in Australia by Northcote Whitridge Thomas
The influence of the father's brother is not necessarily a mark of patrilineal tendencies, except in so far as all patria potestas is such.
From Kinship Organisations and Group Marriage in Australia by Northcote Whitridge Thomas
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
