POTENTIAL

potential, possible

(adjective) existing in possibility; “a potential problem”; “possible uses of nuclear power”

likely, potential

(adjective) expected to become or be; in prospect; “potential clients”

potential, potentiality, potency

(noun) the inherent capacity for coming into being

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

potential (countable and uncountable, plural potentials)

Currently unrealized ability (with the most common adposition being to)

(physics) The gravitational potential: the radial (irrotational, static) component of a gravitational field, also known as the Newtonian potential or the gravitoelectric field.

(physics) The work (energy) required to move a reference particle from a reference location to a specified location in the presence of a force field, for example to bring a unit positive electric charge from an infinite distance to a specified point against an electric field.

(grammar) A verbal construction or form stating something is possible or probable.

Synonyms

• noumenon

• spirit

Antonyms

• matter

• phenomenon

Adjective

potential (not comparable)

Existing in possibility, not in actuality.

Synonyms: noumenal, spiritual, virtual

Antonyms: actual, phenomenal, real

(archaic) Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result

Synonyms: efficacious, influential

(physics) A potential field is an irrotational (static) field.

(physics) A potential flow is an irrotational flow.

(grammar) Referring to a verbal construction of form stating something is possible or probable.

Source: Wiktionary

Po*ten"tial, a. Etym: [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.

2. Existing in possibility, not in actuality. "A potential hero." Carlyle. Potential existence means merely that the thing may be at ome time; actual existence, that it now is. Sir W. Hamilton. Potential cautery. See under Cautery.

– Potential energy. (Mech.) See the Note under Energy.

– Potential mood, or 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.

Po*ten"tial, n.

1. Anything that may be possible; a possibility; potentially. Bacon.

2. (Math.)

Definition: In the theory of gravitation, or of other forces acting in space, a function of the rectangular coordinates which determine the position of a point, such that its differential coefficients with respect to the coördinates are equal to the components of the force at the point considered; -- also called potential function, or force function. It is called also Newtonian potential when the force is directed to a fixed center and is inversely as the square of the distance from the center.

3. (Elec.)

Definition: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition