> as lemmas

1340 Ayenbite (1866) 164 (MED) Prowesse is huanne corage onworþeþ al þet ne is naȝt in his pouer.

?a1425 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. v. pr. vi. 273 If it be in my power to chaunge my purpos, than schal I voiden the purveaunce of God.

a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail xliv. 600 (MED) He hym Sawgh In this Manere..hym to slen In his powere.

1544 in A. I. Cameron Sc. Corr. Mary of Lorraine (1927) 72 I pray God tha com newer haym for layk he wald dow to owr sornem, qwelk sal not lay in hes power.

1640 R. Brathwait Two Lancs. Lovers xv. 108 God forbid Mistresse, that I should suffer that, if it be in my power to prevent.

1697 in R. Renwick Extracts Rec. Burgh Peebles (1910) 157 It shall yet be in thair pouer to tak such other measurs as is fitt.

1748 J. Livingston Let. 16 June in J. Judd Corr. Van Cortlandt Family (1977) 3 I. Am Sorry You Tax me so Severely for not Acquainting You when Sisr Hanna was to be Marryed which was not in my Power.as I.was not Advised Thereof till Thursday.

1790 W. Bligh Narr. Mutiny on Bounty 10 They imagined it in their power to fix themselves in the midst of plenty.

1844 B. Webster Caught in Trap i. i. 16 I rush headlong into the battle, where I have a presentiment, the hazard of war will one day place her in my power.

1861 W. H. Russell in Morning Chron. 3 Aug. Ready to afford any information in their power.

1906 E. Dyson Fact'ry 'Ands xiv. 185 He gave up beer..in order to have it in his power to shout the young lady to 2 s. seats at the Royal.

1940 E. Hazelton Haight Rom. Use of Anecd. in Cicero, Livy & Satirists iii. 63 He wished to get rid of the young man or get him in his power so that he would not present charges.

1984 R. Dahl Boy 79 Once you had..set foot on the dormitory floor, you were in the Matron's power.

1993 R. Jenkins Chief (Anglia TV shooting script) (O.E.D. Archive) 4th Ser. Episode 3. 31 I will do everything in my power to preserve your anonymity and that's all I can do.