the power or right to give orders or make decisions; "he has the authority to issue warrants"; "deputies are given authorization to make arrests"; "a place of potency in the state" [syn: authority]
2.
capacity to produce strong physiological or chemical effects; "the toxin's potency"; "the strength of the drinks"
3.
the inherent capacity for coming into being [syn: potential]
4.
the state of being potent; a male's capacity to have sexual intercourse [ant: impotence]
Main Entry: po·ten·cy Pronunciation: 'pOt-&n-sE Function: noun Inflected Form: plural-cies : the quality or
state of being potent: as a: chemical or medicinal strength or efficacy <a drug's potency> b: the ability to copulate —usually used of the male
c: initial inherent capacity for development of a particular kind <cells with a potency for eye formation>
![[P]](http://cache.lexico.com/g/d/premium_mh.gif){kind=small}
Audio Help [poht-n-see] Pronunciation Key 
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