potence noun¹. ['pǝʊt(ǝ)ns] LME.
[Old French = power from Latin potentia, from potent-: see POTENT adjective², -ENCE.]
1. = POTENCY 1. LME.
b. = POTENCY 1d. L19.

2. = POTENCY 4. E19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲

potence noun². ['pǝʊt(ǝ)ns] LME.
[Old & mod. French = crutch, (mod.) gallows from Latin potentia: see POTENCE noun¹, cf. POTENT noun¹ & adjective¹.]
1. A crutch. Also, a heraldic device shaped like the crosspiece of a crutch. Cf. POTENT noun¹ 3. LME-L15.

2. A cross; a gibbet. L15-M19.

3. Horology. A piece fastened to a plate of a clock or watch to form the lower pivot of the spindle. L17.

4. Hist. A military formation in which a line is thrown out at right angles to the main body. M18.

5. Hist. A revolving post with a ladder, used for collecting eggs in a dovecote. L19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲

potencé adjective. ['pǝʊt(ǝ)nseɪ] Also potence ['pǝʊt(ǝ)ns]. L16.
[French, formed as POTENCE noun².]
Heraldry. = POTENT adjective¹.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲