I.to be very powerful or more powerful, to have the superiority, get the upperhand (post-Aug.): “postquam Macedones praepotuere,” Tac. H. 5, 8.—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.
