potens Latin · revision 18172

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=ine-pro *pót-i-}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''potēns''' (genitive potentis, comparative potentior, superlative potentissimus); third-declension adjective of one ending^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The OLD takes it as the participle of [[m|la|possum|t=to be able]].^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010) De Vaan derives it from a verb [[itc-pro|*pot-ē-|t=to be master]], with a stative meaning, which is found in [[osc|pútíad|t=may be able]]; it is built on [[m|la|potis|t=able]], from [[ine-pro|*pót-i-|t=master, lord]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ Cognate with [[sa|पति|tr=páti|t=lord, husband]], [[grc|πόσις|tr=pósis|t=husband]] and [[lt|pàts|t=husband]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler dates it from Plautus,^(Köbler 2010) who has ''pācisque potentēs, soror, fuimus'', “we have won (Venus') favour, sister”.^(OLD 2012) Terence asks ''quis is est tam potēns cum tantō mūnere hoc?'', “who is it so well provided, with such a gift?”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Potēns'' is first “endowed with” or “having obtained” something; with a genitive “having power over” (''suī potēns'', one's own master; in Lucretius kings ''rērum potentēs'', masters of the world), and “in control of” oneself or one's feelings.^(OLD 2012) It is “capable of”, and absolutely “able, capable”.^(OLD 2012) Most often it is “powerful, influential” in politics or society, of gods “mighty”, and as a noun “a powerful man”.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) It is used of physical forces, “strong” (Virgil: ''sōlemque potentem'', “the fierce sun”), and of abstract things, reasons and proofs, “potent, effective”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Church Latin glosses it “powerful, mighty, strong”.^(Stelten 1995) In Medieval Latin it also means “having full powers, authorized”.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus: ''pācisque potentēs''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence: ''minus potēns quam tū'', “less powerful than you”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 96–55 BC – Lucretius: ''rērum potentēs''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil: ''sōlemque potentem''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Endowed with; having obtained (something).^(OLD 2012)

+ # Having power over, master of (with a genitive); in control of oneself.^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|capable]] (of); able.^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|powerful]], influential, mighty.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # Strong (of forces); [[m|en|potent]], effective.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Authorized, having full powers.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A powerful or influential person.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[possum]]

+ * [[potis]]

+ * [[potentia]]

+ * [[potior]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}