potency

Noun

potency (countable and uncountable, plural potencies)

1. Power, authority.
   • I would to heauen I had your potencie,
     And you were Isabell: should it then be thus?
     No: I would tell what 'twere to be a Iudge,
     and what a prisoner.c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...
   • Beset on either hand by potencies greater than himself, he becomes the battle-ground of immortals.1924, Herbert Weir Smyth, “VIII. The Orestea: III. Eumenides”, in Aeschylean Tragedy, page 206
2. The ability or capacity to perform something
   1. (usually) Sexual virility: the ability to become erect or achieve orgasm.
      • Pliny the Elder states that, to increase sexual potency, the right testis of an ass should be worn in a bracelet.1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 49
3. Concentration; strength
4. Potentiality, ability, capacity.
5. (dated) Cardinality.