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Definition of potential - 8 dictionary results
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po⋅ten⋅tial

  [puh-ten-shuhl]
Use potential in a Sentence
–adjective
1. possible, as opposed to actual: the potential uses of nuclear energy.
2. capable of being or becoming: a potential danger to safety.
3. Grammar. expressing possibility: the potential subjunctive in Latin; the potential use of can in I can go.
4. Archaic. potent 1 .
–noun
5. possibility; potentiality: an investment that has little growth potential.
6. a latent excellence or ability that may or may not be developed.
7. Grammar.
a. a potential aspect, mood, construction, case, etc.
b. a form in the potential.
8. Electricity. electric potential (def. 1).
9. Mathematics, Physics. a type of function from which the intensity of a field may be derived, usually by differentiation.
10. someone or something that is considered a worthwhile possibility: The list of job applications has been narrowed to half a dozen potentials.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME potencial (< OF) < LL potentiālis. See potency, -al 1

Synonyms:
2. See latent. 5. capacity, potency.
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electric potential

 
–noun
1. Also called potential. Electricity. (at any point in an electric field) the work done per unit charge in moving an infinitesimal point charge from a common reference point to the given point. Symbol: V
2. Physiology. action potential.
Origin:
1870–75
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To potential
po·ten·tial   (pə-těn'shəl)   
adj.  

  1. Capable of being but not yet in existence; latent: a potential problem.

  2. Having possibility, capability, or power.

  3. Grammar Of, relating to, or being a verbal construction with auxiliaries such as may or can; for example, it may snow.

n.  

  1. The inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or coming into being.

  2. Something possessing the capacity for growth or development.

  3. Grammar A potential verb form.

  4. Physics The work required to move a unit of positive charge, a magnetic pole, or an amount of mass from a reference point to a designated point in a static electric, magnetic, or gravitational field; potential energy.

  5. See potential difference.


[Middle English potencial, from Old French potenciel, from Late Latin potentiālis, powerful, from Latin potentia, power, from potēns, potent-, present participle of posse, to be able; see potent.]
po·ten'tial·ly adv.
potential difference  
n.   Symbol V
The amount of energy per unit charge needed to move a charged particle from a reference point to a designated point in a static electric field; voltage. Also called potential.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

potential 
1398, "possible" (as opposed to actual), from L.L. potentialis "potential," from L. potentia "power" (see potent). The noun, meaning "that which is possible," is first attested 1817, from the adj.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 1po·ten·tial
Pronunciation: p&-'ten-ch&l
Function: adjective
: existing in possibility : capable ofdevelopment into actuality —po·ten·tial·ly /-'tench-(&-)lE/ adverb

Main Entry: 2potential
Function: noun
1 : something that can develop or become actual
2 a : any of various functions from whichthe intensity or the velocity at any point in a field may be readily calculated; specifically : ELECTRICALPOTENTIAL b : POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

potential po·ten·tial (pə-těn'shəl)
adj.
Capable of being but not yet in existence; latent. n.

  1. The inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or coming into being.

  2. The work required to bring a unit electric charge, magnetic pole, or mass from an infinitely distant position to a designated point in a static electric, magnetic, or gravitational field, respectively.

  3. The potential energy of a unit charge at any point in an electric circuit measured with respect to a specified reference point in the circuit or to ground; voltage.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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