Dictionary formpotestas, potestatis(feminine)
Translation
power, authority; ability, opportunity
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Grammar
Cases
| Case | singular | plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativethe subject | potestas | potestates |
| Vocativecalling someone: O ... | potestas | potestates |
| Accusativethe direct object; after ad, in (into), per | potestatem | potestates |
| Genitiveof | potestatis | potestatum |
| Dativeto, for | potestati | potestatibus |
| Ablativeby, with, from; after a, ab, cum, de, e, ex, in (in), sine | potestate | potestatibus |
Examples
.
The power of the king was great.
.
He was in the power of the enemy.
.
He gave us the chance to speak.
.
He was under his father authority.
.
All power is from God.
Potestas, potestatis, f., is third declension, formed on possum. Two strands run through it. The legal and political one: a magistrate holds potestas, and patria potestas is the father lifelong authority over his household, one of the strangest things in Roman law. The everyday one: potestas plus a gerund in the genitive means simply "the chance to do something" - potestas loquendi, the opportunity to speak.
Roman lawyers keep it apart from its neighbours. Imperium is military command with the power of life and death; auctoritas is influence with no legal handle at all, the Senate specialty. And note the construction: potestas faciendi, never potestas facere.
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potestas: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Latin word "potestas" (power, authority; ability, opportunity): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is taught in chapter 5, lesson 8: potestas, coram, casus and 6 more words.