prepotent

American  

[pree-poht-nt] / priˈpoʊt nt /

adjective

1. preeminent in power, authority, or influence; predominant.

   a prepotent name in the oil business.

2. Genetics. noting, pertaining to, or having prepotency.

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prepotent British  

/ prɪˈpəʊtənt /

adjective

1. greater in power, force, or influence

2. biology showing prepotency

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Other Word Forms

• prepotently adverb

Etymology

Origin of prepotent

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin praepotent- (stem of praepotēns ), present participle of praeposse to have greater power. See pre-, potent ¹

Example Sentences

Without these most prepotent needs met, people do not even get an opportunity for further growth as a human.

From Scientific American • Sep. 24, 2017

Perhaps not since the full-blown Garbo has the old world offered to the new such a prepotent image of the eternal feminine as can be seen in the mysteriously soulful face of Maria Schell.

From Time Magazine Archive

When distinguishable individuals of the same family, or races, or species are crossed, we see that the one is often prepotent over the other in transmitting its own character.

From The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication, Volume II (of 2) by Darwin, Charles

Pearson the elder was hardly more prepotent than Mr. Lusk, the banker at home.

From Bertram Cope's Year by Fuller, Henry Blake

Secondly, seed should be used from plants which have been proven to produce seed, which will develop into plants like themselves or are strongly prepotent.

From Tomato Culture: A Practical Treatise on the Tomato by Tracy, W. W. (William Warner)