Dictionary
pow•er
Pronunciation: (pou'ur), [key]—
n.
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, Theol.an order of angels. Cf.
angel (def. 1).
14. Dial.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. Math.
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. See
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. Cf.
magnification (def. 2).
b. the reciprocal of the focal length of a lens.
21. the powers that be, those in supreme command; the authorities:
The decision is in the hands of the powers that be.
—
v.t.
1. to supply with electricity or other means of power:
Atomic energy powers the new submarines.
2. to give power to; make powerful:
An outstanding quarterback powered the team in its upset victory.
3. to inspire; spur; sustain:
A strong faith in divine goodness powers his life.
4. (of a fuel, engine, or any source able to do work) to supply force to operate (a machine):
An electric motor powers this drill.
5. to drive or push by applying power:
She powered the car expertly up the winding mountain road.
6. power down, Computers.to shut off.
7. power up, Computers.to turn on.
—
adj.
1. operated or driven by a motor or electricity:
a power mower; power tools.
2. power-assisted:
His new car has power brakes and power windows.
3. conducting electricity:
a power cable.
4. Informal.expressing or exerting power; characteristic of those having authority or influence:
to host a power lunch. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
