Pronunciation: 'pau(-&)r
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French poeir, from poeir to be able, from (assumed)
Vulgar Latin potEre, alteration of Latin posse -- more at POTENT
Date: 13th century
1 a (1) : ability to act or produce an effect (2) : ability to get extra-base hits (3) : capacity
for being acted upon or undergoing an effect b : legal or official authority, capacity, or right
2 a : possession of control, authority, or influence over others b : one having such power;
specifically : a sovereign state c : a controlling group : ESTABLISHMENT -- often used in the
phrase the powers that be d archaic : a force of armed men e chiefly dialect : a large
number or quantity
3 a : physical might b : mental or moral efficacy c : political control or influence
4 plural : an order of angels -- see CELESTIAL HIERARCHY
5 a : the number of times as indicated by an exponent that a number occurs as a factor in a
product; also : the product itself b : CARDINAL NUMBER 2
6 a : a source or means of supplying energy; especially : ELECTRICITY b : MOTIVE POWER c
: the time rate at which work is done or energy emitted or transferred
7 : MAGNIFICATION 2b
8 : 1SCOPE 3
9 : the probability of rejecting the null hypothesis in a statistical test when a particular
alternative hypothesis happens to be true
synonyms POWER, AUTHORITY, JURISDICTION, CONTROL, COMMAND, SWAY, DOMINION mean
the right to govern or rule or determine. POWER implies possession of ability to wield force,
permissive authority, or substantial influence <the power to mold public opinion>.
AUTHORITY implies the granting of power for a specific purpose within specified limits
<gave her attorney the authority to manage her estate>. JURISDICTION applies to official
power exercised within prescribed limits <the bureau having jurisdiction over alcohol and
firearms>. CONTROL stresses the power to direct and restrain <you are responsible for the
students under your control>. COMMAND implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and
compel obedience <the army officer in command>. SWAY suggests the extent or scope of
exercised power or influence <an empire that extended its sway over the known world>.
DOMINION stresses sovereign power or supreme authority <given dominion over all the
animals>.
synonyms POWER, FORCE, ENERGY, STRENGTH, MIGHT mean the ability to exert effort. POWER
may imply latent or exerted physical, mental, or spiritual ability to act or be acted upon
<the awesome power of flowing water>. FORCE implies the actual effective exercise of power
<used enough force to push the door open>. ENERGY applies to power expended or capable
of being transformed into work <a worker with boundless energy>. STRENGTH applies to the
quality or property of a person or thing that makes possible the exertion of force or the
withstanding of strain, pressure, or attack <use weight training to build your strength>.
MIGHT implies great or overwhelming power or strength <the belief that might makes right>.