n. 潜在性, 可能性, 潜力, 潜能, 势, 位

a. 有潜力的, 可能的, 潜在的

[医] 电位, 电势, 潜在的, 可能的, 潜力, 潜势

[经] 潜在的, 有可能的

Potential \Po*ten"tial\, n.
1. Anything that may be possible; a possibility; potentially.
--Bacon.

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
co["o]rdinates 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.

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.


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.