potestas

noun

po·​tes·​tas
-eˌstäs,
-tas
plural potestates
ˌpōˌteˈstäˌtās,
ˌpätəˈstāt(ˌ)ēz
: the legal authority of a Roman citizen over his descendants and others in his household compare patria potestas

Word History

Etymology

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

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Cite this Entry

“Potestas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potestas. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

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