potestas

[ poh-tes-tahs, -tuh s ]

/ poʊˈtɛs tɑs, -təs /

the authority of a paterfamilias over all members of his family and household.

Origin of potestas

First recorded in 1650–60, potestas is from the Latin word potestās literally, power, control, authority

po·tes·tal, adjective

The children were always under the potestas of their parents.

Public Lands and Agrarian Laws of the Roman Republic |Andrew Stephenson
Quid ergo intelligendum est, nisi quia Potestas & Bonitas illa magis agebat, &c.

Six Discourses on the Miracles of our Saviour |Thomas Woolston
Where the Potestas begins, Kinship begins; and therefore adoptive relatives are among the kindred.

Ancient Law |Sir Henry James Sumner Maine
They further induced his father to make use of his potestas in restraining his son.

Public Lands and Agrarian Laws of the Roman Republic |Andrew Stephenson

It is, therefore, as regards both the potestas ordinis Church of England.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 4 |Various