-
Trending Now:
More Trending:
- scaramouch non sequitur admiral's mast calumny kakistocracy
- ALL
potestas
noun
po·tes·tas
\-eˌstäs, -tas\
Definition of potestas
potestates
\ˌpōˌteˈstäˌtās, ˌpätəˈstāt(ˌ)ēz\: the legal authority of a Roman citizen over his descendants and others in his household — compare patria potestas
People Are Reading
There's more!
Love words? You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.
Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:
- More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
- Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
- Advanced search features
- Ad free!
Origin and Etymology of potestas
Latin potestat-, potestas power, irregular from potis able, capable + -tat-, -tas -ty
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up potestas? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!