puissance

American  

[pyoo-uh-suhns, pyoo-is-uhns, pwis-uhns] / ˈpyu ə səns, pyuˈɪs əns, ˈpwɪs əns /

noun

Literary.

1. power, might, or force.

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puissance British  

/ ˈpjuːɪsəns, ˈpwiːsɑːns /

noun

1. a competition in showjumping that tests a horse's ability to jump a limited number of large obstacles

2. archaic power

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Etymology

Origin of puissance

1375–1425; late Middle English < Middle French, equivalent to puiss ( ant ) puissant + -ance -ance

Example Sentences

That in turn means that a pet phrase of Mr. Macron’s — “Europe puissance,” or “European power” — is no longer a pipe dream.

From New York Times

The reboot arrives at the peak of reggaeton’s pop puissance, and rightfully incorporates a lot more of the genre and its offshoots — Latin trap included.

From Washington Post

Thus, the interviewer knew when to let the tension do the talking instead of probing wounds until they bled, demonstrating the puissance of eloquent silence.

From Salon

Brandi Carlile, tearing through her song “The Joke” with folk puissance, was the most emotional and the all-around best performer of the night.

From The New Yorker

Thursday's puissance and Saturday's jumping World Cup are the biggest remaining highlights, particularly a clash in the latter between leading British showjumpers Scott Brash and Ben Maher.

From BBC