puissance

puis·sance

 (pwĭs′əns, pyo͞o′ĭ-səns, pyo͞o-ĭs′əns)

n.

Power; might.

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[Middle English, from Old French, from poissant, powerful, present participle of pooir, to be able; see power.]

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puis′sant adj.

puis′sant·ly adv.

puissance

(ˈpjuːɪsəns; ˈpwiːsɑːns) or

puissaunce

n

1. (Horse Training, Riding & Manège) a competition in showjumping that tests a horse's ability to jump a limited number of large obstacles

2. archaic or poetic power

[C15: from Old French; see puissant]

pu•is•sance

(ˈpyu ə səns, pyuˈɪs əns, ˈpwɪs əns)

n.

power; might.

[1375–1425; late Middle English < Middle French, =puiss(ant) powerful (< Vulgar Latin *possent- (s. of *possēns), for Latin potent- (s. of potēns), present participle of posse to be able; see potent¹, -ant) + -ance -ance]

pu′is•sant, adj.

pu′is•sant•ly, adv.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

puissance - power to influence or coerce; "the puissance of the labor vote" power, powerfulness - possession of controlling influence; "the deterrent power of nuclear weapons"; "the power of his love saved her"; "his powerfulness was concealed by a gentle facade"

puissance

noun

1. Capacity or power for work or vigorous activity:

animation, energy, force, might, potency, power, sprightliness, steam, strength.

Informal: get-up-and-go, go, pep, peppiness, zip.

2. The state or quality of being physically strong:

brawn, might, muscle, potence, potency, power, powerfulness, sinew, strength, thew (often used in plural).

Translations

puissance