PUISSANT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does puissant mean? 

• PUISSANT (adjective)
  The adjective PUISSANT has 1 sense:

1. powerful

  Familiarity information: PUISSANT used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PUISSANT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Powerful

Similar:

powerful (having great power or force or potency or effect)

Domain usage:

archaicism; archaism (the use of an archaic expression)

Derivation:

puissance (power to influence or coerce)

 Context examples 

“Welcome, most puissant and noble lord,” he cried, doffing his bonnet to Black Simon.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The emperor concluded me to be drowned, and that the enemy’s fleet was approaching in a hostile manner: but he was soon eased of his fears; for the channel growing shallower every step I made, I came in a short time within hearing, and holding up the end of the cable, by which the fleet was fastened, I cried in a loud voice, Long live the most puissant king of Lilliput!

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

This is how it runs: 'A le moult puissant et moult honorable chevalier, Sir Nigel Loring de Christchurch, de son tres fidele ami Sir Claude Latour, capitaine de la Compagnie blanche, chatelain de Biscar, grand seigneur de Montchateau, vavaseur de le renomme Gaston, Comte de Foix, tenant les droits de la haute justice, de la milieu, et de la basse.'

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)