Search Result for "potency": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (4)

1. the power or right to give orders or make decisions;
- Example: "he has the authority to issue warrants"
- Example: "deputies are given authorization to make arrests"
- Example: "a place of potency in the state"
[syn: authority, authorization, authorisation, potency, dominance, say-so]

2. capacity to produce strong physiological or chemical effects;
- Example: "the toxin's potency"
- Example: "the strength of the drinks"
[syn: potency, effectiveness, strength]

3. the inherent capacity for coming into being;
[syn: potential, potentiality, potency]

4. the state of being potent; a male's capacity to have sexual intercourse;
[syn: potency, potence]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Potency \Po"ten*cy\, n. [L. potentia, from potens, -entis,
   potent. See Potent, and cf. Potance, Potence,
   Puissance.]
   The quality or state of being potent; physical or moral
   power; inherent strength; energy; ability to effect a
   purpose; capability; efficacy; influence. "Drugs of potency."
   --Hawthorne.
   [1913 Webster]

         A place of potency and away o' the state. --Shak.
   [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

potency
    n 1: the power or right to give orders or make decisions; "he
         has the authority to issue warrants"; "deputies are given
         authorization to make arrests"; "a place of potency in the
         state" [syn: authority, authorization, authorisation,
         potency, dominance, say-so]
    2: capacity to produce strong physiological or chemical effects;
       "the toxin's potency"; "the strength of the drinks" [syn:
       potency, effectiveness, strength]
    3: the inherent capacity for coming into being [syn:
       potential, potentiality, potency]
    4: the state of being potent; a male's capacity to have sexual
       intercourse [syn: potency, potence] [ant: impotence,
       impotency]