(v. n.P. a.) : prae-possum, pŏtui, posse, v. n.
* To be very powerful or more powerful, to have the superiority, get the upperhand (post-Aug.): postquam Macedones praepotuere,Tac. H. 5, 8.—Hence, praepŏtens, tis (gen. plur. praepotentum, Sen. Ira, 3, 14, 2), P. a., very able or powerful (class.).
* Of persons: clari ac praepotentes viri,Cic. Rab. Post. 16, 44; id. Fin. 2, 18, 57; id. Off. 1, 30, 109: praepotentes fuimus,Plaut. Poen. 5, 4, 15 dub.—With abl.: praepotentes opibus,i. e. very rich,Plin. 36, 5, 4, § 42.—With gen.: rerum omnium praepotens Juppiter,Cic. Div. 2, 18, 42.—Subst.: praepŏtentes, ĭum, m., the powerful: opes praepotentium,Cic. Lael. 15, 54: more praepotentium,Col. 1, 3: iniquitas praepotentium,Plin. 12, 19, 42, § 93.
* Of things: praepotens terrā marique Carthago,powerful on land and sea,Cic. Balb. 15, 34: natura deorum praepotens neque excellens,id. N. D. 2, 30, 77: praepotens et gloriosa philosophia,id. de Or. 1, 43, 193: praepotens gratae mentis impetus,Val. Max. 5, 2, 8: imperia,id. 7, 2, 1.

s. TLL