Tuesday, August 23, 2011

PUISSANT

TileHead’s Word of the Day for 23 August 2011

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PUISSANT  (adj.)

Definition(s):
  1. (adj.) powerful; having great authority or influence

Useful information for game players:
  • Front hooks: (none)
  • Back hooks: (none)
  • Anagrams: (none)
  • Longer extensions: IM-
  • Wraparounds: (none)
  • Other Spellings: (none)
  • Related Forms: PUISSANCE (n.), IMPUISSANCE (n.)

Epilogue:
It is helpful to know this word if you read classic works of literature, as it has been used over the years by luminaries such as Spenser, Shakespeare, Milton, Swift, Melville, Longfellow, Rushdie, and Mencken.  It and related forms derive from an Old French word meaning “to be able.”  The noun is PUISSANCE, meaning “power or might.”  Additionally, a PUISSANCE course is a competitive event testing a horse's ability to jump over large obstacles (sometimes seven feet tall or higher) — probably so called because it takes a strong and courageous horse to excel in such an event.

This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter P

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