Potential energy

Potential energy
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. [1913 Webster]

2. Existing in possibility, not in actuality. ``A potential hero.'' --Carlyle. [1913 Webster]

Potential existence means merely that the thing may be at ome time; actual existence, that it now is. --Sir W. Hamilton. [1913 Webster]

{Potential cautery}. See under {Cautery}.

{Potential energy}. (Mech.) See the Note under {Energy}.

{Potential mood}, or {Potential 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. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • potential energy — UK / US noun [uncountable] physics the energy that a body or system has stored because of its position or condition. For example, a raised weight has potential energy …   English dictionary

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