Part 442

3. (Elec.) The energy of an electrical charge measured by its power to do work; hence, the degree of electrification as referred to some standard, as that of the earth; electro-motive force.

Po*ten`ti*al"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being potential; possibility, not actuality; inherent capability or disposition, not actually exhibited.

Po*ten"tial*ly (?), adv. 1. With power; potently. [Obs.]

2. In a potential manner; possibly, not positively.

The duration of human souls is only potentially infinite.

Bentley.

Po*ten"ti*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Potentiated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Potentiating.] To render active or potent. Coleridge.

Po*ten`ti*om"e*ter (?), n. [Potential + -meter.] (Elec.) An instrument for measuring or comparing electrial potentials or electro-motive forces.

Po"ten*tize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Potentized; p. pr. & vb. n. Potentizing.] To render the latent power of (anything) available. Dunglison.

Po"tent*ly (?), adv. With great force or energy; powerfully; efficaciously. "You are potently opposed." Shak.

Po"tent*ness, n. The quality or state of being potent; powerfulness; potency; efficacy.

Po"tes*tate (?), n. A chief ruler; a potentate. [Obs.] Wyclif. "An irous potestate." Chaucer.

Po*tes"ta*tive (?), a. [L. potestativus, fr. potestas power: cf. F. potestatif. See Potent.] Authoritative. [Obs.] Bp. Pearson.

Pot"gun` (?), n. 1. A pot-shaped cannon; a mortar. [Obs.] "Twelve potguns of brass." Hakluyt.

2. A popgun. [Obs.] Swift.

Poth"e*ca*ry (?), n. An apothecary. [Obs.]

Po*theen" (?), n. See Poteen.

Poth"er (?), n. [Cf. D. peuteren to rummage, poke. Cf. Potter, Pudder.] Bustle; confusion; tumult; flutter; bother. [Written also potter, and pudder.] "What a pother and stir!" Oldham. "Coming on with a terrible pother." Wordsworth.

Poth"er, v. i. To make a bustle or stir; to be fussy.

Poth"er, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pothered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pothering.] To harass and perplex; to worry. "Pothers and wearies himself." Locke.

Pot"hole` (?), n. A circular hole formed in the rocky beds of rivers by the grinding action of stones or gravel whirled round by the water in what was at first a natural depression of the rock.

Pot"hook` (?), n. 1. An S-shaped hook on which pots and kettles are hung over an open fire.

2. A written character curved like a pothook; (pl.) a scrawled writing. "I long to be spelling her Arabic scrawls and pothooks." Dryden.

Pot"house` (?), n. An alehouse. T. Warton.

{ ||Po`ti*cho*ma"ni*a (?), ||Po`ti*cho*ma"nie (?), } n. [F. potichomanie; potiche a porcelain vase + manie mania.] The art or process of coating the inside of glass vessels with engravings or paintings, so as to give them the appearance of painted ware.

Po"tion (?), n. [L. potio, from potare to drink: cf. F. potion. See Poison.] A draught; a dose; usually, a draught or dose of a liquid medicine. Shak.

Po"tion (?), v. t. To drug. [Obs.] Speed.

Pot"lid` (?), n. The lid or cover of a pot.