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   Pow·er

   /ˈpou(ə)r/

   

   noun

   • 1. the ability to do something or act in a particular way, especially as a faculty or quality: "the power of speech" Similar abilitycapacitycapabilitypotentialpotentialityfacultypropertycompetencecompetencyOpposite inabilityincapacity
   • 2. the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events: "she had me under her power"
   • ▪ political or social authority or control, especially that exercised by a government: "the party had been in power for eight years" Similar controlauthorityinfluencedominancemasterydominationrulecommandascendancysupremacydominionsovereigntyjurisdictionswayweightleverageholdgraspsayinformal:cloutpullbeefteethdragliterary:puissance
   • ▪ a right or authority that is given or delegated to a person or body: "police do not have the power to stop and search" Similar authorityrightauthorizationwarrantlicenseprerogativefacultyinformal:say-so
   • ▪ the military strength of a state: "the sea power of Venice"
   • ▪ a state or country, especially one viewed in terms of its international influence and military strength: "a great colonial power" Similar statecountrynationworld powersuperpower
   • ▪ a person or organization that is strong or influential within a particular context: "he was a power in the university"
   • ▪ a supernatural being, deity, or force: "the powers of darkness"
   • ▪ (in traditional Christian angelology) the sixth highest order of the ninefold celestial hierarchy.
   • ▪ denoting something associated with people who hold authority and influence, especially in the context of business or politics: informal "a red power tie"
   • ▪ used in the names of movements aiming to enhance the status of a specified group: "gay power"
   • 3. physical strength and force exerted by something or someone: "the power of the storm" Similar strengthpowerfulnessmightforceforcefulnessmightinessweightvigorenergyintensitypotencybrawnbrawninessmuscleinformal:punchwellyliterary:thewforcefulnesspowerfulnesspotencystrengthforceeloquenceeffectivenesscogencypersuasivenessimpressivenessauthoritativenessinformal:punchOpposite weaknessimpotence
   • ▪ capacity or performance of an engine or other device: "he applied full power" Similar driving forcehorsepowerhpaccelerationinformal:pokeoomphgrunt
   • ▪ denoting a sports player, team, or style of play that makes use of power rather than finesse: "a power pitcher"
   • ▪ the magnifying capacity of a lens.
   • 4. energy that is produced by mechanical, electrical, or other means and used to operate a device: "generating power from waste" Similar energyelectrical powernuclear powersolar powersteam powerwater powerinformal:juice
   • ▪ electrical energy supplied to an area, building, etc.: "the power went off"
   • ▪ driven by electrical energy: "a power drill"
   • 5. the time-rate of doing work, measured in watts or less frequently horsepower.
   • 6. the number of times a certain number is to be multiplied by itself: "2 to the power of 4 equals 16"

   verb

   • 1. supply (a device) with mechanical or electrical energy: "the car is powered by a fuel-injected 3.0-liter engine"
   • ▪ switch a device on or off: "the officer powered up the fighter's radar"
   • 2. move or travel with great speed or force: "they powered past the dock toward the mouth of the creek"
   • ▪ direct (something, especially a ball) with great force: "Nicholas powered a header into the net"

   Word Origin Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French poeir, from an alteration of Latin posse ‘be able’.

   Scrabble Points: 10

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   • O

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   • W

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   • E

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   • R

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