Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Potent \Po"tent\, a. [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. ``Harsh and potent
      injuries.'' --Shak.

            Moses once more his potent rod extends. --Milton.

   2. Having great authority, control, or dominion; puissant;
      mighty; influential; as, a potent prince. ``A potent
      dukedom.'' --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}.

   Syn: Powerful; mighty; puissant; strong; able; efficient;
        forcible; efficacious; cogent; influential.

Potent \Po"tent\, n.
   1. A prince; a potentate. [Obs.] --Shak.

   2. [See {Potence}.] A staff or crutch. [Obs.]

   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.

Source : WordNet®

potent
     adj 1: having the power to influence or convince; "a cogent
            analysis of the problem"; "potent arguments" [syn: {cogent},
             {powerful}]
     2: having or wielding force or authority; "providing the ground
        soldier with increasingly potent weapons" [syn: {strong}]
     3: having a strong physiological or chemical effect; "a potent
        toxin"; "potent liquor"; "a potent cup of tea" [syn: {strong}]
        [ant: {impotent}]
     4: (of a male) able to copulate [syn: {virile}] [ant: {impotent}]