potency

Pronunciation: /ˈpəʊtənsi/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the power or right to give orders or make decisions
  2. noun capacity to produce strong physiological or chemical effects
  3. noun the inherent capacity for coming into being

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin potentia. Doublet of Potenza.

In classic literature

Synonyms

authority, authorization, authorisation, dominance, say-so

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
control
Narrower (hyponyms)
power of appointment, lordship, muscle, carte blanche, command, sovereignty

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