prae-possum, pŏtui, posse, v. n.,
I to be very powerful or more powerful , to have the superiority , get the upperhand (post-Aug.): postquam Macedones praepotuere, Tac. H. 5, 8.
II —Hence, praepŏtens , tis ( gen. plur. praepotentum, Sen. Ira, 3, 14, 2), P. a., very able or powerful (class.).
A 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.—
B 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.