different between potence vs potentiality

English

Etymology

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

Noun

potence (countable and uncountable, plural potences)

1. power or strength; potency
2. A stud that acts as a support of a pivot in a watch or clock
3. (heraldry) Synonym of crutch

Derived terms

• idempotence
• nilpotence
• unipotence

Related terms

• potency
• potent
• potentate
• potential
• potentiality

Further reading

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

Anagrams

• pet cone

Czech

Etymology

Latin potis

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [?pot?nt?s?]
• Rhymes: -?nts?

Noun

potence f

1. potency

Related terms

Further reading

• potence in P?íru?ní slovník jazyka ?eského, 1935–1957
• potence in Slovník spisovného jazyka ?eského, 1960–1971, 1989

French

Etymology

From Old French, borrowed from Latin potentia.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /p?.t??s/

Noun

potence f (plural potences)

1. (construction) post and braces
2. gallows, gibbet (for hanging)
3. stem (component on a bicycle)

Usage notes

Beware that this is a false friend, meaning “gallows” (or similar wooden constructions), not “strength”, from the Middle Latin meaning “crutch” of potentia.

Synonyms

• gibet

Derived terms

• gibier de potence

Further reading

• “potence” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Anagrams

• écopent

English

Etymology

potential +? -ity

Noun

potentiality (countable and uncountable, plural potentialities)

1. The quality of being, or having potential.
2. An inherent capacity for growth or development.
3. An aptitude amenable to development; capability.
4. (philosophy) A possibility or capacity to be something, as opposed to an actuality describing what something actually is at present.
5. (physics) Quantum potential.

Related terms

• potence
• potency
• potent
• potentate
• potential

Further reading

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