powers
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
An inflected form of power · plural.
How often you will meet it
Rank 1,854 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 9,753 times across 175,160 chapters — 0.005% of every word in the library.
What it means
noun
- possession of controlling influence also: powerfulness the deterrent power of nuclear weaponsthe power of his love saved her
- (physics) the rate of doing work; measured in watts (= joules/second)
- possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done also: ability danger heightened his powers of discrimination
- (of a government or government official) holding an office means being in power also: office being in office already gives a candidate a great advantageduring his first year in office
- one possessing or exercising power or influence or authority also: force the mysterious presence of an evil powermay the force be with you
- a mathematical notation indicating the number of times a quantity is multiplied by itself also: exponent, index
powers in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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Maxence was listening with all the powers of his attention.
Other People's Money · Emile Gaboriau · Chapter 1
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I must get away from evil-shadowed Innsmouth--and accordingly I began to test my cramped, wearied powers of locomotion.
The Shadow over Innsmouth · H.P. Lovecraft · Chapter 2
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Go instantly and seek her, and when she is found implore the gift of another stone with similar powers.
The Yellow Fairy Book: The Grateful Beasts · World Traditions (Celtic, Norse, Asian & Persian) · Chapter 1
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It will be again evident that literature is not a trade, but an art requiring peculiar powers and patient training.
The Novel and the Common School · Charles Dudley Warner · Chapter 1
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Lincoln's grammar may not have been impeccable at this time, but his thinking powers were already little short of masterly.
Lincoln's Inaugurals, Addresses and Letters · Abraham Lincoln · Chapter 1