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po•ten•tial

Pronunciation: (pu-ten'shul), [key]
—adj.
1. possible, as opposed to actual: the potential uses of nuclear energy.
2. capable of being or becoming: a potential danger to safety.
3. Gram.expressing possibility: the potential subjunctive in Latin; the potential use of can in I can go.
4. Archaic.potent¹.

—n.
1. possibility; potentiality: an investment that has little growth potential.
2. a latent excellence or ability that may or may not be developed.
3. Gram.
a. a potential aspect, mood, construction, case, etc.
b. a form in the potential.
4. Elect.See electric potential (def. 1).
5. Math., Physics.a type of function from which the intensity of a field may be derived, usually by differentiation.
6. someone or something that is considered a worthwhile possibility: The list of job applications has been narrowed to half a dozen potentials.

potentate

potential difference

See also:

potential (Thesaurus)

Dictionary

po•ten•tial

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