potence

English

Etymology

From Old French potence (“power, a crutch”), from Latin potentia (“power, in Medieval Latin also crutch”), from potens (“powerful”); see potent.

Noun

potence (plural potences)

1. power or strength; potency
2. A stud that acts as a support of a pivot in a watch or clock

Related terms

• potency
• potent
• potentate
• potential
• potentiality

Derived terms

• idempotence
• nilpotence
• unipotence

External links

• potence in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• potence in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

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French

Etymology

Latin potentia.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /pɔtɑ̃s/

• Audio (Paris)

  (file)

Noun

potence f (plural potences)

1. (construction) post and braces
2. gallows, gibbet (for hanging)

Usage notes

Beware that this is a false friend, meaning “gallows” (or similar wooden constructions), not “strength”.

Synonyms

• gibet

Derived terms

• gibier de potence

Anagrams

• écopent