n. [ F., fr. puissant. See Puissant, and cf. Potency, Potance, Potence. ] Power; strength; might; force; potency. “ Youths of puissance.” Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]
The power and puissance of the king. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ In Spenser, Shakespeare, and Milton, puissance and puissant are usually dissyllables. [ 1913 Webster ]