Etymology Map
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Potent

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means having great power

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

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

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.