势能

[ noun ]
the mechanical energy that a body has by virtue of its position; stored energy
<noun.phenomenon>

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.

2. Existing in possibility, not in actuality. ``A potential
hero.'' --Carlyle.

Potential existence means merely that the thing may
be at ome time; actual existence, that it now is.
--Sir W.
Hamilton.

{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.