potestative, a.
(ˈpəʊtɛsteɪtɪv)
[ad. F. potestatif, ad. late L. potestātīvus adj. (Tert.) denoting or containing power, f. L. potestāt-em power + -īvus, -ive; cf. facultative, qualitative, etc.]
1. Befitting a ‘potestate’; having power or authority; authoritative.
| 1630 Donne Serm. xiii. 134 So I might contemplate him in a judiciary posture, in a potestative, a soveraigne posture, sitting [etc.]. 1644 [H. Parker] Jus Pop. 56 All commands are not alike binding and Potestative. 1670 Baxter Cure Ch. Div. 234 The abuse of the Potestative Primality is Tyranny. 1724 R. Wodrow Life J. Wodrow (1828) 66 A probationer only, for order's sake and without any potestative mission. |
2. potestative condition, a condition within the power or control of one of the parties concerned.
| 1652 Warren Unbelievers (1654) 17 We do not..make it a potestative uncertain condition. 1671 R. MacWard True Nonconf. 328 If we did hold faith, as it is our act to be required as a proper potestative foregoing condition of our acceptance. 1726 Ayliffe Parergon 342 Such a Condition..is said to be a Potestative Condition in respect of a third Person, but a Casual Condition in regard to the Person to whom such Legacy is given. 1818 Colebrooke Obligations 12 A potestative or arbitrary condition is that, which makes the execution of the agreement depend on the will of one of the contracting parties, or upon an event which it is in the power of that party to bring about or to prevent. 1853 Whewell Grotius II. 43 If the condition under which the thing may come into the power of the promiser be also potestative (such as he himself can bring about or accelerate). |