Any of the elementary forms or parts of machines: three primary (the lever, inclined plane, and pulley) and three secondary (the wheel-and-axle, wedge, and screw).
From Middle English power, poer, from Old French poeir, from Vulgar Latin *potēre, from Latin possum ("to be able"); see potent. Compare Modern French pouvoir. Displaced native .
Modern English dictionary
Explore and search massive catalog of over 900,000 word meanings.
Word of the Day
Get a curated memorable word every day.
Challenge yourself
Level up your vocabulary by setting personal goals.