ˈpauə n. & v. --n. 1
the ability to do or
act (will do
all in my power;
has the power to
change colour). 2 a
particular faculty of
body or
mind (lost the power of
speech; powers of persuasion). 3 a
government,
influence, or
authority. b
political or
social ascendancy or
control (the party in power;
Black Power). 4 authorization; delegated authority (power of
attorney;
police powers). 5 (often foll. by over)
personal ascendancy. 6 an
influential person,
group, or
organization (the press is a power in the land). 7 a
military strength. b a
state having
international influence,
esp. based on military strength (the leading powers). 8
vigour,
energy. 9 an
active property or
function (has a
high heating power). 10 colloq. a
large number or
amount (has
done me a power of good). 11 the
capacity for exerting
mechanical force or
doing work (horsepower). 12 mechanical or
electrical energy as
distinct from hand-labour (often attrib.: power tools; power steering). 13 a a
public supply of (esp. electrical) energy. b a particular
source or
form of energy (hydroelectric power). 14 a mechanical force
applied e.g. by
means of a
lever. 15
Physics the rate of energy
output. 16 the
product obtained
when a number is multiplied by
itself a
certain number of times (2 to the power of 3 = 8). 17 the magnifying capacity of a
lens. 18 a a
deity. b (in pl.) the
sixth order of the
ninefold celestial hierarchy. --v.tr. 1 supply
with mechanical or electrical energy. 2 (foll. by
up, down)
increase or
decrease the power supplied to (a device);
switch on or
off. øin the power of
under the control
of.
more power to
your elbow! an
expression of encouragement or
approval. power
behind the
throne a person
who asserts authority or influence
without having
formal status. power
block a group of nations constituting an international political force. power
cut a
temporary withdrawal or
failure of an
electric power supply. power-dive n. a steep
dive of an
aircraft with the engines
providing thrust. --v.intr.
perform a power-dive. power line a
conductor supplying electrical power, esp.
one supported by pylons or poles. power of attorney see ATTORNEY. power pack 1 a
unit for supplying power. 2 the
equipment for converting an alternating
current (from the mains) to a
direct current at a
different (usu. lower)
voltage. power
play 1
tactics involving the
concentration of players at a particular
point. 2
similar tactics in
business,
politics,
etc., involving a concentration of resources,
effort, etc. power point
Brit. a
socket in a
wall etc. for connecting an electrical
device to the mains. power politics political
action based on power or influence. power-sharing a policy agreed
between parties or
within a
coalition to share
responsibility for decision-making
and political action. power
station a
building where electrical power is generated for
distribution. the powers
that be
those in authority (Rom. 13:1). power
stroke the stroke of an internal-combustion
engine, in
which the
piston is moved
downward by the
expansion of gases. øøpowered adj. (also in comb.). [ME & AF poer etc., OF poeir ult. f. L
posse be able]