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potestas

noun po·tes·tas \ -eˌstäs , -tas \

Definition of potestas

plural potestates \ˌpōˌteˈstäˌtās, ˌpätəˈstāt(ˌ)ēz\
: the legal authority of a Roman citizen over his descendants and others in his household — compare patria potestas

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Origin and Etymology of potestas

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

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