potestà

authority

noun poh-teh-STAH Rare

Origin: From Latin potestas ('power, authority').

Also means

power

Usage Note

Potestà is an invariable, formal noun used in law and political philosophy. Potestà genitoriale ('parental authority') replaced the old term patria potestà in Italian family law. Potestà legislativa means legislative power. In older usage it meant the ruler of an Italian city-state. Unlike potere, it refers specifically to a recognized, legitimate authority.

Examples

"La potestà genitoriale spetta a entrambi i genitori."

Natural Translation

Parental authority belongs to both parents.

Literal Translation

The authority parental belongs to both the parents.

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