potent

Where does the word "potent" come from? It comes from Latin potens, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

Potent’s story begins in Latin: potens meant “powerful.” From 'posse', to be able. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as potent. The root of 'potential', 'possible' and 'omnipotent'. It reached English by 1400s as potent. 'omnipotent' is older, from the 1300s. Today, potent means having great power.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient potens "powerful", from 'posse', to be able.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval potent "powerful", the root of 'potential', 'possible' and 'omnipotent'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s potent "powerful", 'omnipotent' is older, from the 1300s.