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powers that be

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pow⋅er

  [pou-er]
Use powers that be in a Sentence
–noun
1. ability to do or act; capability of doing or accomplishing something.
2. political or national strength: the balance of power in Europe.
3. great or marked ability to do or act; strength; might; force.
4. the possession of control or command over others; authority; ascendancy: power over men's minds.
5. political ascendancy or control in the government of a country, state, etc.: They attained power by overthrowing the legal government.
6. legal ability, capacity, or authority: the power of attorney.
7. delegated authority; authority granted to a person or persons in a particular office or capacity: the powers of the president.
8. a document or written statement conferring legal authority.
9. a person or thing that possesses or exercises authority or influence.
10. a state or nation having international authority or influence: The great powers held an international conference.
11. a military or naval force: The Spanish Armada was a mighty power.
12. Often, powers. a deity; divinity: the heavenly powers.
13. powers, Theology. an order of angels. Compare angel (def. 1).
14. Dialect. a large number or amount: There's a power of good eatin' at the church social.
15. Physics.
a. work done or energy transferred per unit of time. Symbol: P
b. the time rate of doing work.
16. mechanical energy as distinguished from hand labor: a loom driven by power.
17. a particular form of mechanical or physical energy: hydroelectric power.
18. energy, force, or momentum: The door slammed shut, seemingly under its own power.
19. Mathematics.
a. the product obtained by multiplying a quantity by itself one or more times: The third power of 2 is 8.
b. (of a number x) a number whose logarithm is a times the logarithm of x (and is called the ath power of x). Symbolically, y =xa is a number that satisfies the equation log y = a log x.
c. the exponent of an expression, as a in xa.
d. cardinal number (def. 2).
20. Optics.
a. the magnifying capacity of a microscope, telescope, etc., expressed as the ratio of the diameter of the image to the diameter of the object. Compare magnification (def. 2).
b. the reciprocal of the focal length of a lens.
–verb (used with object)
21. to supply with electricity or other means of power: Atomic energy powers the new submarines.
22. to give power to; make powerful: An outstanding quarterback powered the team in its upset victory.
23. to inspire; spur; sustain: A strong faith in divine goodness powers his life.
24. (of a fuel, engine, or any source able to do work) to supply force to operate (a machine): An electric motor powers this drill.
25. to drive or push by applying power: She powered the car expertly up the winding mountain road.
–adjective
26. operated or driven by a motor or electricity: a power mower; power tools.
27. power-assisted: His new car has power brakes and power windows.
28. conducting electricity: a power cable.
29. Informal. expressing or exerting power; characteristic of those having authority or influence: to host a power lunch.
—Verb phrases
30. power down, Computers. to shut off.
31. power up, Computers. to turn on.
—Idiom
32. the powers that be, those in supreme command; the authorities: The decision is in the hands of the powers that be.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME pouer(e), poer(e) < AF poueir, poer, n. use of inf.: to be able < VL *potēre (r. L posse to be able, have power). See potent 1

Synonyms:
1. capacity. 3. energy. See strength. 4, 5. sway, rule, sovereignty.

Antonyms:
1. incapacity. 3. weakness.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pow·er   (pou'ər)   
n.  

  1. The ability or capacity to perform or act effectively.

  2. A specific capacity, faculty, or aptitude. Often used in the plural: her powers of concentration.

  3. Strength or force exerted or capable of being exerted; might. See Synonyms at strength.

  4. The ability or official capacity to exercise control; authority.

  5. A person, group, or nation having great influence or control over others: the western powers.

  6. The might of a nation, political organization, or similar group.

  7. Forcefulness; effectiveness: a novel of unusual power.

  8. Chiefly Upper Southern U.S. A large number or amount. See Regional Note at powerful.

    1. The energy or motive force by which a physical system or machine is operated: turbines turned by steam power; a sailing ship driven by wind power.

    2. The capacity of a system or machine to operate: a vehicle that runs under its own power.

    3. Electrical or mechanical energy, especially as used to assist or replace human energy.

    4. Electricity supplied to a home, building, or community: a storm that cut off power to the whole region.

    5. The product of applied potential difference and current in a direct-current circuit.

    6. The product of the effective values of the voltage and current with the cosine of the phase angle between current and voltage in an alternating-current circuit.

    7. See exponent.

    8. The number of elements in a finite set.

  10. Physics The rate at which work is done, expressed as the amount of work per unit time and commonly measured in units such as the watt and horsepower.

  11. Electricity

    1. The product of applied potential difference and current in a direct-current circuit.

    2. The product of the effective values of the voltage and current with the cosine of the phase angle between current and voltage in an alternating-current circuit.

    3. See exponent.

    4. The number of elements in a finite set.

  12. Mathematics

    1. See exponent.

    2. The number of elements in a finite set.

  13. Statistics The probability of rejecting the null hypothesis where it is false.

  14. A measure of the magnification of an optical instrument, such as a microscope or telescope.

  15. powers Christianity The sixth of the nine orders of angels in medieval angelology.

  16. Archaic An armed force.

adj.  

  1. Of or relating to political, social, or economic control: a power struggle; a power base.

  2. Operated with mechanical or electrical energy in place of bodily exertion: a power tool; power car windows.

  3. Of or relating to the generation or transmission of electricity: power companies; power lines.

  4. Informal Of or relating to influential business or professional practices: a pinstriped suit with a power tie; met with high-level executives at a power breakfast.

tr.v.   pow·ered, pow·er·ing, pow·ers
To supply with power, especially mechanical power.

[Middle English, from Old French pooir, to be able, power, from Vulgar Latin *potēre, to be able, from Latin potis, able, powerful; see poti- in Indo-European roots.]
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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Cultural Dictionary

power

In physics, the amount of energy put out or produced in a given amount of time. Power is often measured in watts or kilowatts.

In mathematics, a power is a number multiplied by itself the number of times signified by an exponent placed to the right and above it. Thus, 32, which means 3 × 3, is a power — the second power of three, or three squared, or nine. The expression 106, or ten to the sixth power, means 10 × 10 × 10 × 10 × 10 × 10, or one million.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

power  (n.)
1297, from Anglo-Fr. pouair, O.Fr. povoir, noun use of the infinitive in O.Fr., "to be able," earlier podir (842), from V.L. *potere, from L. potis "powerful" (see potent). Meaning "a state or nation with regard to international authority or influence" is from 1726. The verb meaning "to supply with power" is recorded from 1898. Powerful is c.1400. Powerhouse "building where power is generated" is from 1881; fig. sense attested from 1915. Power-broker (1961) said to have been coined by T.H. White in ref. to the 1960 U.S. presidential election. Phrase the powers that be is from Rom. xiii.1. As a statement wishing good luck, more power to (someone) is recorded from 1842.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: pow·er
Function: noun
1 : capability of acting or of producing an effect power>
2 a : authority or capacity to act that is delegated by law or constitution —often used in pl.
commerce power
often cap C&P : the power delegated to Congress under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution to regulate commerce esp. among the states —see also COMMERCE CLAUSE
concurrent power
: a power that is held simultaneously by more than one entity; specifically : a power delegated to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution that is also held by the states
enu·mer·at·ed powers
/i-'nü-m&-"rA-t&d-, -'nyü-/
: the powers specifically named and delegated to the federal government or prohibited to be exercised by the states under the U.S. Constitution —compare RESERVED POWERS in this entry
executive power
: the power delegated to the executive of a government; specifically : any or all of the powers delegated to the president under Article II of the U.S. Constitution
implied power
: a power that is reasonably necessary and appropriate to carry out the purposes of a power expressly granted; especially : a power that is not specifically delegated to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution but that is implied by the necessary and proper clause to be delegated for the purpose of carrying out the enumerated powers —see also McCulloch v. Maryland in the IMPORTANT CASES section
judicial power
: the power granted to the judicial branch of a government; specifically : the power delegated to the judiciary under Article III of the U.S. Constitution
legislative power
: the power delegated to a legislative branch of a government; specifically : any or all of the powers delegated to the Congress under Article I of the U.S. Constitution
police power
: the power of a government to exercise reasonable control over persons and property within its jurisdiction in the interest of the general security, health, safety, morals, and welfare except where legally prohibited (as by constitutional provision)
reserved powers
: the political powers reserved by a constitution to the exclusive jurisdiction of a specified political authority; specifically : powers that are not expressly delegated to the federal government nor expressly prohibited to the states and are therefore left to the states under the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution —compare ENUMERATED POWERS in this entry
spend·ing power
: the power granted to a government body to make expenditures; specifically : the power delegated to Congress under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the U.S.
tax·ing power
: the power granted to a government body to lay and collect taxes; specifically : such power delegated to Congress under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution
war powers
: the powers delegated to the executive and legislative branches of the federal government relating to the waging of war: as a : the power delegated to Congress under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution to declare war b : the power delegated to the president under Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution to serve as commander in chief of the armed forces b : an ability, authority, or right usually conferred by one person upon another to do something that effects a change in a legal relationship; specifically : such authority or right to affect another's interest in property (as by conveyance) —see also POWER OF APPOINTMENT, POWER OF ATTORNEY
collateral power
: NAKED POWER in this entry
general power
: a power that may be exercised in favor of anyone including the donee
implied power
: the power of one acting under an implied agency
naked power
: a power (as a power of sale) granted to one who has no interest in the property to which the power relates (as an executor who is not a legatee or devisee) called also collateral power —compare POWER COUPLED WITH AN INTEREST in this entry
power ap·pen·dant
/-&-'pen-d&nt/
: a power coupled with an interest (as a grant of a lease) that the donee can exercise only out of an estate (as a life estate) that he or she holds called also power appurtenant
power cou·pled with an interest
: a power accompanying an interest of the donee in the property to which the power relates
power in gross
: a naked power exercisable by the donee only in the creation of estates that will not attach to the estate the donee holds or be satisfied out of the donee's own interest
power of acceptance
: the power of an offeree to bind an offeror to a contract by accepting the offer
power of mod·i·fi·ca·tion
/"mä-d&-f&-'kA-sh&n/
: a power reserved in an instrument (as one creating a trust) to make changes by a specified method
power of revocation
: a power usually reserved by a person in an instrument (as one creating a trust) to revoke the legal relationship that the person has created or made a possibility
power of sale
: a power granted (as in a will, trust, or mortgage) to sell the property to which the power relates often under specified circumstances (as upon the default of a mortgage)
power of termination
: a power of a grantor or the grantor's successors in interest to enter upon an estate that was granted upon a condition after the breach of the condition in order to terminate the granted estate and revest it in the grantor or successors in interest called also right of entry right of reentry
special power
: a power in which the person or class of persons to whom the disposition of property under the power is to be made is expressly designated and excludes the donee or where the power is to transfer, charge, or encumber any estate less than a fee simple
stock power
: an irrevocable power of attorney used in making a transfer of a certificate of stock
3 a : possession of control, authority, or influence over others b : one having such power; specifically : a sovereign state c : political control or influence
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: pow·er
Pronunciation: 'pau(-&)r
Function: noun
1 : an inherent property or effect powerof constricting the blood vessels —Morris Fishbein>
2 : MAGNIFICATION 2b
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

power pow·er (pou'ər)
n.

  1. The capacity to perform or act effectively.

  2. Strength or force that is exerted or that is capable of being exerted.

  3. The amount of work done per unit time.

  4. A measure of the magnification of an optical instrument, such as a microscope or telescope.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
power   (pou'ər)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. The source of energy used to operate a machine or other system.

  2. The rate at which work is done, or energy expended, per unit time. Power is usually measured in watts (especially for electrical power) or horsepower (especially for mechanical power). For a path conducting electrical current, such as a component in an electric circuit, P = VI, where P is the power dissipated along the path, V is the voltage across the path, and I is the current through the path. Compare energy, work.

  3. Mathematics The number of times a number or expression is multiplied by itself, as shown by an exponent. Thus ten to the sixth power, or 106, equals one million.

  4. A number that represents the magnification of an optical instrument, such as a microscope or telescope. A 500-power microscope can magnify an image to 500 times its original size.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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