Main Entry:

puis·sance

Pronunciation:

\ˈpwi-s^ən(t)s, ˈpyü-ə-sən(t)s, pyü-ˈi-s^ən(t)s\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French pussance, puissance, from pussant able, powerful, from poer to be able, be powerful — more at power

Date:

15th century

: strength, power