potential

[puh-ten-shuh l] /pəˈtɛn ʃəl/
adjective
1.
possible, as opposed to actual:
the potential uses of nuclear energy.
2.
capable of being or becoming:
a potential danger to safety.
3.
Grammar. expressing possibility:
the potential subjunctive in Latin; the potential use of can in I can go.
4.
Archaic. potent1 .
noun
5.
possibility; potentiality:
an investment that has little growth potential.
6.
a latent excellence or ability that may or may not be developed.
7.
Grammar.
  1. a potential aspect, mood, construction, case, etc.
  2. a form in the potential.
8.
Electricity, electric potential (def 1).
9.
Mathematics, Physics. a type of function from which the intensity of a field may be derived, usually by differentiation.
10.
someone or something that is considered a worthwhile possibility:
The list of job applications has been narrowed to half a dozen potentials.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English potencial (< Old French) < Late Latin potentiālis. See potency, -al1
Related forms
nonpotential, adjective, noun
Synonyms
2. See latent. 5. capacity, potency.
Examples from the web for potential
  • Too many people give up and settle for just a fraction of what they can be, failing to realize their potential.
  • There are some potential pitfalls, however.
  • Researchers may have discovered how the bright plumage of male birds evolved as a sign of health and vigor to potential mates.
  • And it has the potential for a wide variety of flavor shifts.
  • It even allowed potential clients to freely browse her gallery.
  • But they are the most important types of heroes to support, because they have the highest potential to do extremely good works.
  • And in the human body that force starts out as something we can't see, as potential energy trapped in muscle cells.
  • As for the conventions, the critics complained that both candidates displayed little savvy about the potential of the medium.
  • Prior to accepting a position, many faculty of color seek to identify a network of potential mentors.
  • Excessive grazing of cattle remains the largest potential threat.
British Dictionary definitions for potential

potential

/pəˈtɛnʃəl/
adjective
1.
  1. possible but not yet actual
  2. (prenominal) capable of being or becoming but not yet in existence; latent
2.
(grammar) (of a verb or form of a verb) expressing possibility, as English may and might
3.
an archaic word for potent1
noun
4.
latent but unrealized ability or capacity: Jones has great potential as a sales manager
5.
(grammar) a potential verb or verb form
6.
short for electric potential
Derived Forms
potentially, adverb
Word Origin
C14: from Old French potencial, from Late Latin potentiālis, from Latin potentia power
Word Origin and History for potential
adj.

late 14c., "possible" (as opposed to actual), from Old French potenciel and directly from Late Latin potentialis "potential," from Latin potentia "power, might, force;" figuratively "political power, authority, influence," from potens "powerful" (see potent). The noun, meaning "that which is possible," is first attested 1817, from the adjective.

potential in Medicine

potential po·ten·tial (pə-těn'shəl)
adj.
Capable of being but not yet in existence; latent. n.

  1. The inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or coming into being.

  2. The work required to bring a unit electric charge, magnetic pole, or mass from an infinitely distant position to a designated point in a static electric, magnetic, or gravitational field, respectively.

  3. The potential energy of a unit charge at any point in an electric circuit measured with respect to a specified reference point in the circuit or to ground; voltage.