prepotent

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   having exceptional power, authority, or influence; dominant over others

   The prepotent empire shaped trade throughout the region.

2. 2
   adj

   in genetics or breeding, strongly tending to transmit particular traits to offspring

   Breeders valued the stallion as a prepotent sire whose markings appeared in many foals.

From Middle English prepotent and Latin praepotens, "very powerful or predominant," formed from prae-, "before or in front," + potens, "powerful." The specialized breeding sense describes an individual whose hereditary influence is unusually strong.

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