potential
    adj 1: existing in possibility; "a potential problem"; "possible
           uses of nuclear power" [syn: potential, possible]
           [ant: actual, existent]
    2: expected to become or be; in prospect; "potential clients"
       [syn: likely, potential]
    n 1: the inherent capacity for coming into being [syn:
         potential, potentiality, potency]
    2: the difference in electrical charge between two points in a
       circuit expressed in volts [syn: electric potential,
       potential, potential difference, potential drop,
       voltage]

Potential \Po*ten"tial\, a. [Cf. F. potentiel. See Potency.]
   1. Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result;
      efficacious; influential. [Obs.] "And hath in his effect a
      voice potential." --Shak.
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   2. Existing in possibility, not in actuality. "A potential
      hero." --Carlyle.
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            Potential existence means merely that the thing may
            be at ome time; actual existence, that it now is.
                                                  --Sir W.
                                                  Hamilton.
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   Potential cautery. See under Cautery.

   Potential energy. (Mech.) See the Note under Energy.

   Potential mood, or Potential mode (Gram.), that form of
      the verb which is used to express possibility, liberty,
      power, will, obligation, or necessity, by the use of may,
      can, must, might, could, would, or should; as, I may go;
      he can write.
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Potential \Po*ten"tial\, n.
   1. Anything that may be possible; a possibility; potentially.
      --Bacon.
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   2. (Math.) In the theory of gravitation, or of other forces
      acting in space, a function of the rectangular coordinates
      which determine the position of a point, such that its
      differential coefficients with respect to the coordinates
      are equal to the components of the force at the point
      considered; -- also called potential function, or force
      function. It is called also Newtonian potential when
      the force is directed to a fixed center and is inversely
      as the square of the distance from the center.
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   3. (Elec.) The energy of an electrical charge measured by its
      power to do work; hence, the degree of electrification as
      referred to some standard, as that of the earth;
      electro-motive force.
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