potentialadj.n.
/pəˈtɛnʃl/, U.S. /pəˈtɛn(t)ʃ(ə)l/ A. adj.
1. Possible as opposed to actual; having or showing the capacity to develop into something in the future; latent; prospective.
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the world > existence and causation > existence > reality or real existence or actuality > potentiality > [adjective]
potentiala1398
in possibility1587
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > [adjective] > not evident, latent
potentiala1398
latentc1475
unevidentc1475
surreptitious1534
unmanifest1535
unapparent1554
unappearing1554
unmanifested1613
inevident1614
inapparenta1631
unobvious1643
immanifest1646
latitant1646
potentional1651
implicit1658
non-apparent1658
involute1669
unexposed1702
unostensible1766
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > possibility > [adjective] > having capacity
potentiala1398
capable1590
susceptiblea1639
possible1736
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 307 Þe potencial hete of hem passeþ nouȝt in to worchinge and actual hete in dede..potencial light þat is in a medled body and derk passeþ nouȝt to worke in dede but by comynge of outward light.
?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 162v (MED) Anoþer maner of fire is potenciale, which sheweþ nouȝt sensualy, i. felynly, in þe houre or tyme bot after þe deduccioun and ledyng of his power to his acte, which is done wiþ medicynez caustic & ruptyuez.
c1429 Mirour Mans Saluacioune (1986) l. 5038 Offring of golde sometyme pertened to gift reale, Whilk offrande shewed thi dere son to be a Kinge potenciale.
1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. i. ix. §3. 182 The seedes and effects..were as yet but potentiall, and in the blowth and budde.
1626 W. Prynne Perpetuitie Regenerate Mans Estate 262 This cannot imply an actuall or a potentiall fall from the state of grace.
1657 S. Purchas Theatre Flying-insects i. ii. 3 The Worm or Potential Bee.
1730 M. Concanen Speculatist 124 We are unwilling to allow even Potential Merit to People not raised high above us.
1766 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. II. xvi. 261 When he [sc. a sole corporation] dies or resigns, though there is no actual owner of the land till a successor be appointed, yet there is a legal, potential ownership, subsisting in contemplation of law.
1807 T. Young Course Lect. Nat. Philos. I. vii. 59 The force appears to be what is called in logic a potential cause, which is not in a state of activity.
1897 Westm. Gaz. 10 Mar. 6/2 The ships..put out under steam, running eight or nine throughout the night to avoid potential torpedoes.
1904 J. Conrad Nostromo iii. x. 424 He descended into the gully; for the fascination of all that silver, with its potential power, survived alone outside of himself.
1941 Illustrated 13 Sept. 12/2 Inside six months he has raised, clothed, equipped, and put into training on a voluntary basis a reservoir of 200,000 young men as potential air crews for the R.A.F.
1993 Accountancy Oct. 60/2 Sales Express uses the latest direct mail and automated fax-shot techniques to access potential buyers.
2. Medicine. Designating (the use of) a cauterizing agent other than a red-hot implement, esp. a caustic substance; contrasted with actual (cf. cautery n. 1). Chiefly in potential cautery. Now historical.
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the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines for specific purpose > corrosive or caustic > [noun]
potential cauterya1400
corrosivec1400
corsiec1450
caustic1582
corsive1593
corrodent1614
pyrotic1634
escharotic1655
scarotique1673
cautery1689
diabrotic1775
caustic arrow1860
catheretic1887
the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > treatment by topical applications > [noun] > application of corrosives or caustics
corrosiving?1593
potential cautery1598
a1400 tr. Lanfranc Sci. Cirurgie (Ashm.) (1894) 305 (MED) He knowiþ not þe difference bitwixe a cauterie þat is clepid actuel & potencial [L. potentiale].
?c1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (Paris) (1971) 509 (MED) But for þat..many folk be made wode in þe wirchynge for drede of þe fyre, I haue chosen to me þat of þe potencial cauterie.
1598 A. M. tr. J. Guillemeau Frenche Chirurg. 17 b/2 We vse nowe in these dayes potentialle corrosiues.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 428 The potentiall Cauterie is done by applying vnto the greeued place, some medicine corosiue, putrifactiue, or causticke.
1617 J. Woodall Surgions Mate 133 In which case..a potentiall causticke medicament..is conuenient.
1739 J. Sparrow tr. H. F. Le Dran Observ. Surg. v. 19 The Person who had drawn his Tooth..endeavoured to consume the Excrescence..both by Potential and Actual Cautery.
1830 Lancet 6 Mar. 804/2 To work he went, with that active potential cautery, potassa fusa, which he applied with such slovenly profuseness.
1857 Lancet 13 June 600/2 Effects of a potential caustic upon the course of a carbuncle.
2005 Jrnl. Cardiac Failure 11 249/2 The notion that actual cautery with a heated metal instrument or potential cautery by the application of heated cups or caustic substances to the skin could be used to direct bad humors to different parts of the body.
3. Possessing potency or power; potent, powerful, mighty, strong; commanding. Now rare.
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society > authority > power > [adjective]
mightyeOE
craftyeOE
richeOE
strongeOE
wieldeOE
mainstrongOE
mightOE
keena1000
mightfullOE
mainfulc1225
reighc1225
starkc1275
boldc1300
fort13..
mightandc1350
strengthya1382
mightifula1400
bigc1400
powerfulc1450
puissant?c1450
mananta1500
mighteousa1500
potenta1500
potential?c1500
vailing1508
forcible1555
potentate1556
swingeing1567
powerable1580
strong-handed1598
strengthful1604
hogen mogen1648
powerlike1657
pollent1660
hogana1672
swayful1767
reverend1826
oomphy1955
kick-ass1977
?c1500 Conversion of St. Paul (Digby) 360 The myght of the fadires potenciall deite.
a1529 J. Skelton Prayer to Father 2 Celestial Father, potencial God of myght.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) i. ii. 13 The Magnifico is much beloued, And hath in his effect, a voyce potentiall, As double as the Dukes. View more context for this quotation
1696 E. Phillips New World of Words (new ed.) sig. A3/2 Acid in Chymistry signifies that sharp Salt, or that potential and dissolving Fire which is in all mix'd Bodies, and gives 'em being.
1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) I. 683 The bark, when sufficiently masticated, operates as a very potential purge and emetic.
1823 W. Scott St. Ronan's Well I. iii. 71 We must..give a brief sketch of that potential Committee, which both factions, acting as if on a self-denying ordinance, had combined to invest with the reins of government.
1860 J. S. Mill Consider. Represent. Govt. (1865) 19/1 The nation as a whole, and every individual composing it, are without any potential voice in their own destiny.
1881 A. Trollope Dr. Wortle's School I. xii. 225 Lady Grogram was an old woman of strong mind but small means, who was supposed to be potential over those connected with her.
1935 M. McLuhan Let. 24 Jan. (1987) 52 [Wordsworth] supposed mankind not only good but infinitely potential.
4. Grammar. Designating or relating to a part of a verb used to express possibility. Chiefly in potential mood n. a mood, such as the subjunctive, used to express possibility. Also figurative with humorous play on sense A. 3 (e.g., quots. 1680, 1823).With reference to French grammar, sometimes applied to the conditional.
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the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > mood > [noun] > subjunctive > types of
potential mooda1504
hypothetical subjunctive1961
the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > mood > [adjective] > other spec.
conditional1530
subcontinuative1530
precatory1610
consuetudinal1728
conjunctive1736
precative1751
requisitive1751
adhortative1815
potential1837
jussive1846
obligative1877
hypothetical1892
permissive1892
a1504 J. Holt Lac Puerorum (1508) sig. C (heading) The potencyall mode.
1512 T. Linacre Progymnasmata Grammatices Vulgaria sig. C. iii The potential mode signyfyeth a thyng as mayying or owyng to be doone. And his sygnes in englysshe be these. May, might, wold or shuld, and hit hath v. tens in every verbe of lyke voyce to the subiunctyve mode.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement Introd. 31 Modes: every parfyte verbe hath vi, the indicatyve, imperatyve, optatyve or potenciall, the subjunctyve, the condicionall, and the infynityve.
1612 J. Brinsley Posing of Parts f. 16 Q. How know you the Potentiall Moode? A. It sheweth an abilitie, will, or dutie to doe any thing.
1680 T. Jordan London's Glory 2 [Followed by] all Lord Mayors in the Potential Mood.
1704 J. Harris Lexicon Technicum I Potential Mood in Grammar, is the same in form with the Subjunctive; but differs in this, That it hath always Implied in it, either Possum, Volo, or Debeo; as Roget Quis, that is, Rogare potest, a Man may ask.
1795 L. Murray Eng. Gram. 39 That the potential mode should be separated from the subjunctive, is evident, from the complexness and confusion which are produced by their being blended together, and from the distinct nature of the two modes; the former of which may be expressed without any condition, supposition, &c.
1823 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto XI xxxv. 120 By those who govern in the mood potential.
1837 G. Phillips Elem. Syriac Gram. 111 The tenses, especially the future, either alone or in connection with one or more particles, in many cases express a potential, subjunctive, or hypothetical sense.
1876 C. P. Mason Eng. Gram. (ed. 21) 60 To these moods [Infinitive, Indicative, Imperative, Subjunctive] many grammarians add the Potential Mood, meaning by that mood certain combinations of the so-called auxiliary verbs may, might, can, could, must, with the infinitive mood. This is objectionable.
1945 Language 21 2 In English what may be called the potential mode of the verb is an overt category marked by the morpheme can or could.
1946 Mod. Lang. Notes 61 443 The use, in advertising, of the ‘potential intransitive’, in such examples as ‘this car operates, handles smoothly’.
1964 P. Healey Papers New Guinea Linguistics i. 29 It will be noted that the Potential tense may occur in the Quote of the Saying sub-type.
5. Physics. Designating a property or attribute that a body possesses by virtue of its position or state, but which is only manifested or released under changed conditions. Chiefly in potential energy n., potential temperature n. at Compounds 1.See note at potential energy n.
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1854 W. J. M. Rankine in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 144 118 Then during the elevation of temperature from absolute cold to τ, the energy converted to the potential form in overcoming the external pressures P will be [formula].
1878 B. Stewart & P. G. Tait Unseen Universe iii. §102. 112 As the ball descends its energy is retransformed from the potential into the kinetic variety.
1922 Lancet 25 Feb. 410 If we reduce the cosmos to energy, we may say that energy is made up of many small quantities, kinetic or potential in form.
1954 R. Ingram Introd. Fluid Mech. 9 The term p/ w ft. is called the Pressure Head, and for some purposes this is assumed to be a form of energy..although it is not an intrinsic form of energy as are the Potential and Kinetic forms.
1979 NDT Internat. 12 274 In order to determine the residual energy, it is possible to measure either the kinetic or potential component.
B. n.† 1. Medicine. A cauterization performed using an agent other than a red-hot implement, esp. a caustic substance; such a substance. Cf. sense A. 2. Obsolete. rare.† 3. Something that gives strength or ability, a power. Obsolete.
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?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 162v Neþerlez actuale cauteriez bene more siker þan potencialez [?c1425 Paris potenciales; L. potentialia].
1702 J. Moyle Chirurgus Marinus (ed. 4) 66 There are divers of those Potentials, but that of Calcanthum Rubifactum hath been most used of late Years..when the Flux hath not submitted to any common astringents.
2. Something which is possible, as opposed to actual; capacity for growth, achievement, future development or use; resources able to be used or developed.
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the world > existence and causation > existence > reality or real existence or actuality > potentiality > [noun] > a potentiality
potential1587
potentiality1587
virtuality1700
existible1862
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > possibility > [noun] > a possible thing or circumstance
possibilityc1460
perhapsa1535
potential1587
potentiality1587
maybe1598
contingencya1626
contingent1655
conceivable1659
possiblea1674
conceptiblea1676
cogitable1678
chance1778
it's an idea1841
may1849
might1850
thought1857
possibly1881
shot1923
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > instrumentality > [noun] > (a) means > resources
facultya1382
myance?a1513
moyen1547
facility1555
means1560
resource1611
foisona1616
wherewith1674
asset1677
stock-in-tradea1806
wherewithal1809
possibles1823
bag of tricks1841
potential1941
1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. xii. 203 And thinkest thou..that his [sc. God's] potentials..are not stronger than thyne actuals?
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Ii1v That by these Optatiues and Potentialls, Mans enquirie may bee the more awake. View more context for this quotation
1738 J. F. Fritsch tr. G. de Lairesse Art of Painting iv. i. 156 White and Black are not reckoned among the Colours, but rather Potentials or Efficients; because the others cannot have their Effects without the Help of them.
1817 S. T. Coleridge Biographia Literaria I. xii. 245 The potential works in them, even as the actual works on them!
1883 A. Edersheim Life Jesus (ed. 6) I. 634 With this belief our highest thoughts of the potential for humanity..are connected.
1889 J. M. Robertson Ess. Crit. Method 92 The faculty..must be held to reach its highest potential, on the side of literature, in the case of personal gift cultivated by a literary life.
1941 Sun (Baltimore) 24 June 10/2 The vast armored power, mobile tactics and industrial potential of the Nazi armies have been exhibited and proved in the Low Countries, France and the Balkans.
1969 H. MacInnes Salzburg Connection xx. 281 His record..has been excellent. His potential was high—very high.
2005 Scotland's Nat. Heritage Spring 18/2 The conference also explored the potential for liquid biofuels..to replace in part the use of petroleum-based transport fuels.
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1656 T. Blount Glossographia Potentials, things apt to breed or give power, strength or ability.
1700 E. Howard Remarks New Philos. Des-Cartes Pref. sig. ev The main Potentials, by which are actually effected and compleated the essential Capacities of the Life of the Intellect and Senses.
1719 D. Defoe Friendly Rebuke to Parson Benjamin 13 Thou hast indeed encumber'd thy self already with a Load of Disputes, too heavy for thy Potentials.
4. Grammar. The potential mood; a grammatical construction in this mood.
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the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > mood > [noun] > other specific moods
conditional1591
potential1706
requisitive1751
conjunctive1795
consuetudinal1808
permissivea1831
obligative1877
jussive1900
1706 R. Johnson Gram. Comm. 297 The Present Potential having the Power of Could or Might.
1773 C. Vallancey Gram. Irish Lang. 64 (note) The modern Irish grammarians, have in conformity to the Grecians and Romans, twisted their verbs into certain inflexions analogous to their potentials, subjunctives, &c. which are omitted in this grammar.
1882 Amer. Jrnl. Philol. 3 450 The rest of the thirty-three are potentials and there is nothing to be gained by forcing them into the conditional formula.
1957 R. W. Zandvoort Handbk. Eng. Gram. (new ed.) i. vi. 88 Of the three, the irrealis (were) only is in common use in spoken and ordinary written English, the optative..and the potential being practically confined to written English.
1991 Internat. Jrnl. Lexicogr. 4 ii. 92 Other advances include..more accurate, up-to-date and less ideologically imbued definitions; illustrative sentences; hints on use and misuse of directionals and potentials with verbs.
5. Physics.
a. A quantity of energy, work, etc., expressed by a potential function and associated with each point in a gravitational, electrical, or other field, being equivalent to that required to move a body, charge, etc., from the given point to a reference point whose potential is arbitrarily defined as zero (e.g. the earth, infinity); such a quantity considered as a quality or condition of the matter, electricity, etc., in question. Also: a potential function; (more widely) any function from which a vector field F can be derived by differentiation, esp. (more fully scalar potential) a scalar function ϕ such that F = − grad ϕ, and (more fully vector potential) a vector field A such that F = curl A.action, electric, gravitational, ionization, oxidation, velocity potential, etc.: see the first element. [Introduced in 1828, by G. Green, with special reference to electricity (see quot. 1828, and quot. 1828 at potential function n.). However, compare G. F. Becker in Amer. Jrnl. Sci. (1893) 145 97: ‘Potential as the name of a function was undoubtedly introduced by Gauss in 1840’ (C. F. Gauss in Resultate aus den Beobachtungen der magnetischen Vereins im Jahre 1839 (1840) 4: ‘Zur bequemern Handhabung..werden wir uns erlauben dieses V mit einer besonderen Benennung zu belegen, und diese Grösse das Potential der Massen, worauf sie sich bezieht, nennen’).]
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the world > matter > physics > energy or power of doing work > [noun] > quantity expressed by potential function
potential1828
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > voltage > electrical potential > [noun]
tension1785
electric tension1802
potential1828
potential function1828
pd1887
pressure1889
potentiality1898
1828 G. Green Ess. on Applic. Math. Anal. to Electr. & Magnetism 16 This equation is remarkable on account of its simplicity and singularity, seeing that it gives the value of the potential for any point p′, within the surface, when V, its value at the surface itself, is known.
1853 W. Thomson in London, Edinb. & Dublin Philos. Mag. 4th Ser. 5 288 The potential at any point in the neighbourhood of or within a charged body is the quantity of work that would be required to bring a unit of positive electricity from an infinite distance to that point if the given distribution of electricity remained unaltered.
1873 J. C. Maxwell Treat. Electr. & Magnetism II. iii. ii. 27 (heading) The Vector-Potential of Magnetic induction.
1882 G. M. Minchin Uniplanar Kinematics 135 The function ϕ is called the potential-function of the strain, and the curves obtained by varying the constant in the equation ϕ = C are called curves of equal potential.
1898 Engin. Mag. 16 101 ‘High potential’ electrical heat for irons, broilers, chafing dishes, and local applications.
1909 J. G. Coffin Vector Anal. vi. 173 We obtain H =..∇ × Q... Q is called the potential due to the current distribution q, or the vector-potential belonging to the magnetic force H... The force vector H is obtained from the vector Q in a manner analogous to the way the force vector F is obtained from the scalar V, where..F = ∇V.
1933 H. B. Phillips Vector Anal. v. 102 When the potential is known the velocity can be obtained by differentiation. If a potential exists it is simpler to describe the motion by means of it rather than the velocity.
1971 W. Hauser Introd. Princ. Electromagn. iii. 77 Vector function F1 is a curl-less vector function... It is therefore expressible as the negative gradient of a scalar function of position. We thus set F1 = − ∇ψ(r), where the function ψ(x, y, z) is referred to as the scalar potential of F1.
1989 Engineering July 6/3 The way to prevent static build-up is by ensuring that all parts of the factory environment are at zero potential.
2004 Nature 29 July 517/1 The complex forces between the constituents of the nucleus produce an average potential that is central and that results in well-defined orbits for the neutrons and protons.
b. More fully thermodynamic potential. Any of various thermodynamic functions mathematically analogous to electric and gravitational potentials, including Gibbs free energy, Helmholtz free energy, enthalpy, internal energy, and chemical potential. The Gibbs and the Helmholtz functions are given respectively by G = H − TS and A = U − TS, where H is the enthalpy, U the internal energy, T the temperature, and S the entropy of the system. The chemical potential μi of a component i in a given phase at a particular (constant) temperature and pressure is equal to ∂G/∂mi, where mi is the quantity of the component present in the phase and the quantities of all other components remain constant.
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the world > matter > physics > mechanics > dynamics > thermodynamics > [noun] > group of functions
potential1878
1878 J. W. Gibbs in Trans. Connecticut Acad. Arts & Sci. 3 119 If we call a quantity μx, as defined by such an equation as (12), the potential for the substance Sz in the homogeneous mass considered, these conditions may be expressed as follows:—The potential for each component substance must be constant throughout the whole mass.
1878 J. W. Gibbs in Trans. Connecticut Acad. Arts & Sci. 3 149 If to any homogeneous mass we suppose an infinitesimal quantity of any substance to be added, the mass remaining homogeneous and its entropy and volume remaining unchanged, the increase of the energy of the mass divided by the quantity of the substance added is the potential of that substance in the mass considered... In the above definition we may evidently substitute for entropy, volume, and energy, respectively, either temperature, volume, and the function ψ; or entropy, pressure, and the function χ; or temperature, pressure, and the function ζ.
1924 H. S. Taylor Treat. Physical Chem. I. ii. 67 The thermodynamic potential of all spontaneously occurring processes decreases.
1950 E. O. Hercus Elem. Thermodynamics & Statistical Mech. iv. 24 Two new thermodynamical quantities dependent only on the state of a system can be defined from the entropy. These are: Free Energy, F = U − TS. Thermodynamic Potential, G = H − TS = U + pv − TS.
1973 D. C. Kelly Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics viii. 147 The four thermodynamic potentials were invented to make thermodynamics ‘easy’. Each potential is the natural energy variable for certain classes of physical processes.
1998 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) A. 356 819 To study the equilibrium stability, the concept of thermodynamic potentials was first used, such as the Helmholtz free energy F, or other potentials.., according to the boundary conditions.
Compounds
C1. Compounds of the adjective.
potential temperature n. [compare German potentielle Temperatur (attributed to H. von Helmholtz by W. von Bezold in Sitzungsb. der königl. Preuss. Akad. der Wissensch. zu Berlin (1888) 1190)] Physics the temperature that a given body of gas or liquid would have if it were brought adiabatically to a standard pressure of 1 bar or 1 atmosphere.
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the world > matter > chemistry > physical chemistry > phases > [noun] > inversion > potential temperature
potential temperature1876
1876 J. W. Nystrom New Treat. Steam Engin. 185 On being asked ‘What is the difference between potential and actual temperatures?’ the professor answered, ‘Potential temperature refers to volume.’
1891 C. Abbe tr. W. von Bezold in Mech. of Earth's Atmosphere xvi. 243 Von Helmholtz recognized the objection..and proposed that the word ‘wärmegehalt’ should be replaced by the evidently much more proper expression ‘potential temperature’. When without gain or loss of heat it is adiabatically or pseudo-adiabatically reduced to the normal pressure.
1967 P. Groen Waters of Sea vii. 290 At 3500 meters, where the temperature is 1·6°C, the potential temperature is only 0·3°C lower. Whereas strictly speaking the temperature is not invariable even if there is no heat exchange, the potential temperature is, if the water proceeds to other depths and is therefore subjected to a different pressure.
1989 Sci. Amer. Feb. 38/2 The isotherm for a potential temperature of zero degrees Celsius is slightly deeper (potential temperature is the actual temperature corrected for the effect of pressure in the deep ocean).
C2. Compounds of the noun (in sense B. 5).
potential barrier n. Physics a region in a field of force in which the potential is significantly higher than at points on either side, so that a particle requires energy to pass through the region; spec. such a region surrounding the potential well of an atomic nucleus.
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the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > [noun] > region of higher potential
barrier1929
potential barrier1929
potential wall1931
1929 Physical Rev. 33 134 The particle in the internal region received energy sufficient to raise it over the potential barrier.
1966 H. J. Reich et al. Theory & Applic. Active Devices iii. 64 An electron encounters a potential barrier in moving from left to right across the junction.
1995 Sci. Amer. July 73/3 The Born-Oppenheimer approximation, the penetration of electrons through potential barriers, the theory of cosmic-ray showers, neutron stars and black holes are all a vital part of contemporary physics.
potential difference n. the difference in electric potential between two points, esp. in a circuit.
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1876 W. H. Preece & J. Sivewright Telegraphy 5 Potential implies that function of electricity which determines its motion from one point to another. And the difference of potential, which determines the amount of this motion, is called electro-motive force.]
1892 Jrnl. Inst. Electr. Engineers 21 606 If the currents and pressures were simple sine functions, then the power-factor in that case would be the cosine of the angle of lag of primary current behind the primary terminal potential difference.
1935 C. J. Smith Intermediate Physics (ed. 2) v. xlviii. 802 The potential difference across the coil is measured by the voltmeter V which is in parallel with the heating element.
1992 Professional Engin. Nov. 29/1 In galvanic (or self-driven) cells, such as batteries, fuel cells and some sensors, spontaneous chemical change gives rise to a potential difference which is used to drive current through an electrical load.
potential flow n. Physics flow which is irrotational and for which there therefore exists a velocity potential.
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the world > matter > physics > mechanics > dynamics > fluid dynamics > [noun] > irrotational flow
potential flow1937
1937 N. A. V. Piercy Aerodynamics v. 140 Irrotational flow is often called potential flow.
1962 A. C. Walshaw & D. A. Jobson Mech. Fluids viii. 211 ‘Potential’ flows..neglect viscous actions and merely provide a framework of reference against which the behaviour of a real fluid may be compared.
1989 D. Thouless in P. Davies New Physics vii. 225/2 This description of superfluid helium would lead to the conclusion that the superfluid should flow with the type of flow known as ‘potential flow’ in hydrodynamics.
potential gradient n. Physics a continuous increase or decrease in electric potential along a line between two points; the rate of change of electrical potential with distance.
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the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > voltage > electrical potential > [noun] > rate of change
potential gradient1887
1887 Science 9 236 Professor Exner..gives results of some experiments..which show the potential gradient to be of uncertain value, and influenced largely by the proximity of buildings and walls.
1931 Discovery July 212/1 Measurements of potential gradient have been made in balloons up to a height of nine kilometres. The gradient falls off rapidly, most of the positive charge being in the lower strata.
1973 R. Brown Electr. & Atomic Physics xii. 270 There is a potential gradient in the depletion layer, positive on the n side and negative on the p side, and this represents a potential barrier.
2001 New Scientist 6 Jan. 18/2 During these electrical ‘storms’, scientists have recorded abnormally high electric fields and many believe these fields are responsible for the noises auroras emit. They suggest that they cause ‘brush discharge’, which occurs when electric fields induce an electric potential gradient in objects on the ground.
potential scattering n. Nuclear Physics elastic scattering of a particle by an atomic nucleus in which the scattering cross-section varies smoothly with the energy of the incident particle; cf. resonance scattering n. at resonance n. Compounds 2.
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the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > particle physics > action of dispersing particles > [noun] > elastic scattering
resonance scattering1922
Rutherford scattering1922
elastic scattering1933
potential scattering1937
resonant scattering1948
1937 H. A. Bethe & G. Placzek in Physical Rev. 51 460/2 It amounts..to a scattering cross section σ1 = 4πR2... This part may be called potential scattering in the narrower sense.
1955 A. E. S. Green Nucl. Physics xiii. 433 Within the category of elastic scattering we may distinguish two types of processes, namely, potential scattering and resonant scattering.
1990 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 428 338 We are presented with two independent one-dimensional potential-scattering problems.
potential wall n. Physics a region in a field of force in which the potential increases sharply; a potential barrier.
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the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > [noun] > region of higher potential
barrier1929
potential barrier1929
potential wall1931
1931 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 133 238 If this theory of the resonance levels is correct, it is difficult to reconcile the results of Pose, who finds quite sharp resonance levels in Al, with the results of experiments on α-particles of sufficient energy to pass over the top of the potential wall.
1973 V. Acosta et al. Essent. Mod. Physics xvi. 222 This situation may be treated in a simplified manner by using a thin potential wall—a potential barrier.
2004 Physica A. 331 556 The potential acting on the rigid protein forms a potential wall surrounding the protein, suppressing the movement of the protein.
potential well n. Physics a region in a field of force in which the potential is significantly lower than at points immediately outside it, so that a particle in the region is likely to remain there unless it gains a relatively large amount of energy; spec. that in which an atomic nucleus is situated.
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the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > [noun] > region of lower potential
potential well1935
square well1939
well1942
1931 G. Gamow Constit. Atomic Nuclei i. 18 The potential..must be more or less constant inside the nucleus and increase sharply at the boundary, the distribution forming a ‘potential hole’ of the shape shown.]
1935 Physical Rev. 47 852/1 The positive valued parameters A and α are to be determined to fit the binding energies of the deuteron and the alpha~particle. Evidently A and 1/α½ are directly proportional to the depth and breadth, respectively, of the potential well.
1972 C. H. DePuy & O. L. Chapman Molecular Reactions & Photochem. i. 1 Within this potential well the molecule can occupy any of a number of discrete vibrational energy levels.
2001 Nature 29 Mar. 531/3 The first gate lowers the Fermi level—the maximum energy of electrons in a solid—of the first island relative to that of the source electrode, creating a potential well and allowing one electron to tunnel through the insulating barrier into the island.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.a1398