Where does “potently” come from?
Potently comes from Middle English -ly added to Latin potens, meaning powerful or capable, itself derived from Latin possum meaning to be able, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European pótis meaning master.
potently (English): In a potent manner; powerfully
Definitions
- In a potent manner; powerfully
Ancestry of “potently”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | potent | Possessing strength; Powerfully effective; Having... |
| 2 | Middle English | potent | staff, crutch |
| 3 | Latin | potēns | being able (to), able; potent, mighty, strong, powerful |
| 4 | Latin | posse | present active infinitive of possum "to be able... |
| 5 | Latin | potis | able, capable, possible |
| 6 | Proto-Italic | potis | master, in control of |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | pótis | master, ruler; husband |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | ph₃tis | — |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | peh₃- | to drink |