different between potentiality vs knack

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.

English

Etymology

Use as "special skill" from 1580. Possibly from 14th century Middle English krak (“a sharp blow”), knakke, knakken, from Middle Low German, by onomatopoeia. Latter cognate to German knacken (“to crack”). See also crack.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /næk/
• Audio (UK)

• Rhymes: -æk

Noun

knack (plural knacks)

1. A readiness in performance; aptness at doing something. [from 1580]

   Synonyms: skill, facility, dexterity

   • 2005, Plato, Sophist. Translation by Lesley Brown. 254a.

     The sophist runs for cover to the darkness of what is not and attaches himself to it by some knack of his;
2. A petty contrivance; a toy.

   Synonyms: plaything, knickknack, toy

3. Something performed, or to be done, requiring aptness and dexterity. [from mid 14th c.]

   Synonyms: trick, device

Derived terms

• knackless

Translations

Verb

knack (third-person singular simple present knacks, present participle knacking, simple past and past participle knacked)

1. (obsolete, Britain, dialect) To crack; to make a sharp, abrupt noise; to chink.
2. To speak affectedly.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Halliwell to this entry?)

Translations

References