11. (Optics)
Defn: The degree to which a lens, mirror, or any optical instrument, magnifies; in the telescope, and usually in the microscope, the number of times it multiplies, or augments, the apparent diameter of an object; sometimes, in microscopes, the number of times it multiplies the apparent surface.
12. (Law)
Defn: An authority enabling a person to dispose of an interest vested either in himself or in another person; ownership by appointment. Wharton.
13. Hence, vested authority to act in a given case; as, the business was referred to a committee with power.
Note: Power may be predicated of inanimate agents, like the winds and waves, electricity and magnetism, gravitation, etc., or of animal and intelligent beings; and when predicated of these beings, it may indicate physical, mental, or moral ability or capacity. Mechanical powers. See under Mechanical. — Power loom, or Power press. See Def. 8 (d), note. — Power of attorney. See under Attorney. — Power of a point (relative to a given curve) (Geom.), the result of substituting the coördinates of any point in that expression which being put equal to zero forms the equation of the curve; as, x2 + y2 - 100 is the power of the point x, y, relative to the circle x2 + y2 - 100 = 0.
POWERABLE
Pow"er*a*ble, a.
1. Capable of being effected or accomplished by the application of power; possible. [R.] J. Young.
2. Capable of exerting power; powerful. Camden.
POWERFUL
Pow"er*ful, a.