potent

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Having a strong and powerful effect.

   The medicine is very potent, so take only a small dose.

2. 2
   adj

   Having great power, influence, or force.

   Fear can be a potent weapon in politics.

From Middle English potent, borrowed from Latin potens, potentis (“powerful, strong, potent”), present participle of posse (“to be able”), from potis (“able, powerful, originally a lord, master”).

Topics