Where does “potency” come from?
Potency comes from Latin potentia, formed with the suffix -ia from possum meaning "to be able," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European pótis meaning "master" or "lord."
potency (English): Strength; Power; The ability or capacity to...
Definitions
- Strength; Power; The ability or capacity to...
Ancestry of “potency”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latin | Potentia | situated in the valley of the Casuentus, now Potenza |
| 2 | Latin | potēns | being able (to), able; potent, mighty, strong, powerful |
| 3 | Latin | posse | present active infinitive of possum "to be able... |
| 4 | Latin | potis | able, capable, possible |
| 5 | Proto-Italic | potis | master, in control of |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | pótis | master, ruler; husband |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | ph₃tis | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | peh₃- | to drink |