puissance
UK[ˈpwiːsɒ̃s]US[ˈpwiːsɑːns]
n
great power, influence, or prowess (often used in literary or formal contexts, especially in relation to political or military strength).
n
(in showjumping) a test of a horse's ability to jump high obstacles.
Etymology
the word 'puissance' entered english in the late 15th century, borrowed directly from the old french word 'puissance', meaning 'power' or 'strength'. this old french term itself derives from the vulgar latin 'potentia', a noun form of the latin adjective 'potens', meaning 'powerful' or 'able'. the latin root 'potis' (able, capable) can be traced back to the proto-indo-european root 'poti-', meaning 'powerful' or 'lord'. the semantic journey is direct: from the ancient concept of inherent capability and lordship, through latin and french notions of power, to its modern english usage denoting formidable strength or a specific equestrian challenge, retaining its core association with potent force.
Analysis
the word is a loanword from french and is not productively segmented using english morphemes.
Examples
the king's puissance was feared by neighboring realms.
the poem speaks of the puissance of the ocean's waves.
the competition's final event was the puissance, where the horse cleared a remarkable height.