\Po"tent\, a. [L. potens, -entis, p. pr. of posse to be
able, to have power, fr. potis able, capable (akin to Skr.
pati master, lord) + esse to be. See {Host} a landlord, {Am},
and cf. {Despot}, {Podesta}, {Possible}, {Power},
{Puissant}.]
1. Producing great physical effects; forcible; powerful'
   efficacious; as, a potent medicine. ``Harsh and potent
   injuries.'' --Shak.
         Moses once more his potent rod extends. --Milton.
2. Having great authority, control, or dominion; puissant;
   mighty; influential; as, a potent prince. ``A potent
   dukedom.'' --Shak.
         Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors. --Shak.
3. Powerful, in an intellectual or moral sense; having great
   influence; as, potent interest; a potent argument.
{Cross potent}. (Her.) See Illust. (7) of {Cross}.
Syn: Powerful; mighty; puissant; strong; able; efficient;
     forcible; efficacious; cogent; influential.

\Po"tent\, n.
1. A prince; a potentate. [Obs.] --Shak.
2. [See {Potence}.] A staff or crutch. [Obs.]
3. (Her.) One of the furs; a surface composed of patches
   which are supposed to represent crutch heads; they are
   always alternately argent and azure, unless otherwise
   specially mentioned.
{Counter potent} (Her.), a fur differing from potent in the
   arrangement of the patches.