Potential \Po*ten"tial\, a. [Cf. F. potentiel. See Potency.]
1. Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result;
efficacious; influential. [Obs.]
``And hath in his effect
a voice potential.'' --Shak.
2. Existing in possibility, not in actuality. ``A potential
hero.'' --Carlyle.
Potential existence means merely that the thing may
be at ome time; actual existence, that it now is.
--Sir W.
Hamilton.
Potential cautery. See under Cautery.
Potential energy. (Mech.) See the Note under Energy.
Potential mood, or mode (Gram.), that form of the verb
which is used to express possibility, liberty, power,
will, obligation, or necessity, by the use of may, can,
must, might, could, would, or should; as, I may go; he can
write.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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