\Pu"is*sance\, n. [F., fr. puissant. See {Puissant},
and cf. {Potency}, {Potance}, {Potence}.]
Power; strength; might; force; potency. `` Youths of
puissance.'' --Tennyson.
      The power and puissance of the king.     --Shak.
Note: In Spenser, Shakespeare, and Milton, puissance and
      puissant are usually dissyllables.