puissant

adj

Etymology: From Middle English puissaunt, from Middle French puissant, poissant, Anglo-Norman puissant, Old French pussant, et al., present participle of pooir (“to be able”), ultimately from Latin posse (“be able”).

1. Powerful, mighty, having authority.

   “Awake remembrance of these valiant dead, / And with your puissant arm renew their feats.”

   “For who can yet believe, though after loss, That all these puissant legions, whose exile Hath emptied Heaven, shall fail to re-ascend, Self-raised, and repossess their native seat?”