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potestas

noun
po·​tes·​tas | \ -eˌstäs, -tas\
plural potestates\ ˌpōˌteˈstäˌtās, ˌpätəˈstāt(ˌ)ēz \

Definition of potestas

: the legal authority of a Roman citizen over his descendants and others in his household — compare patria potestas

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History and Etymology for potestas

Latin potestat-, potestas power, irregular from potis able, capable + -tat-, -tas -ty

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