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potential energy definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: the mechanical energy that a body has by virtue of its position; stored energy [syn: potential energy, P.E.]

Merriam Webster's

noun Date: 1853 the energy that a piece of matter has because of its position or nature or because of the arrangement of parts

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

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 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.