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potent

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potent

Main Entry:: ¹po·tent
Pronunciation:: \ˈpō-t^ənt\
Function:: adjective
Etymology:: Middle English, from Latin potent-, potens (present participle of posse to be able), from Latin potis, pote able; akin to Gothic brūthfaths bridegroom, Greek posis husband, Sanskrit pati master
Date:: 15th century

1: having or wielding force, authority, or influence : powerful2: achieving or bringing about a particular result : effective3 a: chemically or medicinally effective <a potent vaccine> b: rich in a characteristic constituent <a potent drink>4: able to copulate —usually used of the male

— po·tent·ly adverb

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