adjective

1. that has power; potent
2. that can, but has not yet, come into being; possible; latent; unrealized; undeveloped
3. Gram. expressing possibility, capability, power, etc. the potential mood

Etymology: ME potenciall < ML potentialis < L potentia: see potent

noun

1. something potential; a potentiality
2. Elec. the difference in voltage between two points in an electric circuit or field
3. Gram.
   1. the potential mood or aspect
   2. a construction or form in this mood or aspect
4. Physics a function whose mathematical derivative is a physical field, as a force or an electric or magnetic field