potenta.[L. potens, -entis, p. pr. of posse to be able, to have power, fr. potis able, capable (akin to Skr. pati master, lord) + esse to be. See Host a landlord, Am, and cf. Despot, Podesta, Possible, Power, Puissant.]1. Producing great physical effects; forcible; powerful' efficacious; as, a potent medicine.(Shak.)Moses once more his potent rod extends. (Milton.)2. Having great authority, control, or dominion; puissant; mighty; influential; as, a potent prince.(Shak.)Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors. (Shak.)3. Powerful, in an intellectual or moral sense; having great influence; as, potent interest; a potent argument.()Cross potent. (Her.) See Illust. (7) of Cross.()()n.1. A prince; a potentate.(Shak.)[See Potence.]2. A staff or crutch.()3. (Her.) One of the furs; a surface composed of patches which are supposed to represent crutch heads; they are always alternately argent and azure, unless otherwise specially mentioned.()Counter potent (Her.), a fur differing from potent in the arrangement of the patches.()