Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Puissance \Pu"is*sance\, n. [F., fr. puissant. See Puissant,
and cf. Potency, Potance, Potence.]
Power; strength; might; force; potency. " Youths of
puissance." --Tennyson.
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The power and puissance of the king. --Shak.
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Note: In Spenser, Shakespeare, and Milton, puissance and
puissant are usually dissyllables.
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