Pu"is*sant (?), a. [F., originally, a p. pr. formed fr. L. posse to be able: cf. L. potens powerful. See Potent.]
Powerful; strong; mighty; forcible; as, a puissant prince or empire.
"
Puissant deeds."
Milton.
Of puissant nations which the world possessed.
Spenser.
And worldlings in it are less merciful,
And more puissant.
Mrs. Browning.
© Webster 1913.