Definition of Potential

1. Noun. The inherent capacity for coming into being.

Exact synonyms: Potency, Potentiality
Generic synonyms: Possibility, Possibleness
Specialized synonyms: Latency, Chance, Prospect
Attributes: Possible

2. Adjective. Existing in possibility. "Possible uses of nuclear power"
Exact synonyms: Possible
Attributes: Potency, Potentiality
Similar to: Latent
Derivative terms: Possibility, Possibility, Possibleness, Potency
Antonyms: Actual

3. Noun. The difference in electrical charge between two points in a circuit expressed in volts.

4. Adjective. Expected to become or be; in prospect. "Potential clients"
Exact synonyms: Likely
Similar to: Prospective
Derivative terms: Likeliness, Potency, Potentiality

Definition of Potential

1. a. Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result; efficacious; influential.

2. n. Anything that may be possible; a possibility; potentially.

Definition of Potential

1. Noun. Currently unrealized ability. ¹

2. Noun. (physics) The gravitational potential is the radial (irrotational, static) component of a gravitational field, also known as the Newtonian potential or the gravitoelectric field.Novello, M. ? [ VII Brazilian School of Cosmology and Gravitation, Rio de Janeiro, August 1993] Atlantica Séguier Frontières, 1994, p. 257 ? ''"In general, a system can have both translational and rotational accelerations, however. It follows from Einstein's principle of equivalence that locally—i.e., to the extent that spacetime curvature can be neglected—gravitational effects are the same as inertial effects; therefore, gravitation can be approximately described in terms of gravitoelectric and gravitomagnetic fields corresponding to translational and rotational inertia, respectively. This is the gravitational Larmor theorem [3], which is very useful in the post-Newtonian approximation to general relativity. The gravitomagnetic field of a massive rotating body is a measure of its absolute rotation."''Thorne, Kip S. ? [ Gravitomagnetism, Jets in Quasars, and the Stanford Gyroscope Experiment] From the book "Near Zero: New Frontiers of Physics" (eds. J.D. Fairbank, B.S. Deaver, Jr., C.W.F. Everitt, P.F. Michelson), W.H. Freeman and Company, New York, 1988, pp. 3, 4 (575, 576) ? ''"From our electrodynamical experience we can infer immediately that any rotating spherical body (e.g., the sun or the earth) will be surrounded by a radial gravitoelectric (Newtonian) field '''''g''''' and a dipolar gravitomagnetic field '''''H'''''. The gravitoelectric monopole moment is the body's mass M; the gravitomagnetic dipole moment is its spin angular momentum S."''Grøn, Øyvind; Hervik, Sigbjørn ? [ Einstein's General Theory of Relativity with Modern Applications in Cosmology] Springer, 2007, p. 203 ? ''"In the Newtonian theory there will not be any gravitomagnetic effects; the Newtonian potential is the same irrespective of whether or not the body is rotating. Hence the gravitomagnetic field is a purely relativistic effect. The gravitoelectric field is the Newtonian part of the gravitational field, while the gravitomagnetic field is the non-Newtonian part."'' ¹

3. Noun. (physics) The work (energy) required to bring a unit positive electric charge from an infinite distance to a specified point against an electric field. ¹

4. Noun. (grammar) A verbal construction or form stating something is possible or probable. ¹

5. Adjective. Existing in possibility, not in actuality. ¹

6. Adjective. (archaic) Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result; efficacious; influential. ¹

7. Adjective. (physics) A potential field is an irrotational (static) field. ¹

8. Adjective. (physics) A potential flow is an irrotational flow. ¹

9. Adjective. (grammar) Referring to a verbal construction of form stating something is possible or probable. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Potential

1. [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Potential

potecary
poted
poteen
poteens
potence
potences
potencies
potency
potender
potenders
potent
potentacies
potentacy
potentate
potentates
potential (current term)
potential difference
potential divider
potential drop
potential energy
potential unit
potential vorticities
potential vorticity
potential well
potentialities
potentiality
potentialize
potentially
potentially hazardous object
potentially hazardous objects

Literary usage of Potential

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Encyclopedia Americana: A Library of Universal Knowledge (1919)
"potential Function as Measure of Work. — By definition, the work done in moving a ... That is, the difference or loss in potential measures the work done. ..."

2. The Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and (1910)
"In using the instrument the conductor, whose potential is to be tested, is connected to the plate G. Let this potential be denoted by V, and let v be the ..."

3. The Encyclopædia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and by Hugh Chisholm (1910)
"It then another horizontal disk G is placed over the disk HH and a difference of potential made between G and HH, the movable aluminium trap door F will be ..."

4. A Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism by James Clerk Maxwell (1873)
"measuring the potential at a certain height above the earth's surface. Second Method. We have supposed the sphere placed at the given point and first ..."

5. The Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences and General (1890)
"The whole electromotive force in this case is clearly only V, and, if all the jut be similar, the potential difference between the coatings If in etch is — ..."

6. The Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and General by Thomas Spencer Baynes (1888)
"When a battery of jars in discharged through a circuit'in which there is a fine wire of large resistance, the greater pert of the potential energy loot in ..."

7. Electrical Engineering: The Theory and Characteristics of Electrical by Clarence Victor Christie (1917)
"potential and potential Gradient Near a Charged Sphere. — Determine the potential and potential gradient in the field surrounding an isolated sphere of ..."

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