Reading Theme:
Power Meaning: Authority & Electricity with Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：authority (power)
power
/ˈpaʊər/
n.
the ability or right to control people or things and make them do what you want.
authority
➕
/əˈθɔːrəti/
n.
The capacity or right to direct the actions of others or to make decisions that affect people's lives.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'posse' (to be able) via Old French 'povoir', combining 'pot-' (ability) with suffix.
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a powerful person standing tall – the 'pow' of impact and 'er' for the one who acts.
📖 Example
After years of hard work, she finally gained enough power within the company to influence major decisions.
After years of hard work, she finally gained enough authority within the company to influence major decisions.
🔗 Collocations
absolute power – complete and unrestricted authority
seize power – take control by force or legal means
power structure – the system of authority in an organization
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
submission (n.) – the act of yielding to the authority of another
powerlessness (n.) – lack of strength or ability to act
🌱 Derivatives
powerful (adj.) – having great power or influence
powerless (adj.) – without power or ability
powerhouse (n.) – a person or thing with great energy or authority
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'power' entered English from Old French, rooted in Latin 'posse'. In modern culture, it often appears in business contexts like 'power lunch' and political discussions about 'power dynamics'.
Meaning 2：electricity (power)
power
/ˈpaʊər/
n.
the energy that makes machines work, especially electricity.
electricity
➕
/ɪˌlekˈtrɪsəti/
n.
Electrical energy that is used to operate machines, lights, and electronic devices.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The entire village now runs on renewable power generated by solar panels and wind turbines.
The entire village now runs on renewable electricity generated by solar panels and wind turbines.
🔗 Collocations
power supply – the source of electrical energy for a device
power outage – a temporary loss of electrical power
power plant – an industrial facility that generates electricity
🔄 Synonyms
energy (n.) – the capacity to do work, often in the form of electricity
electricity (n.) – a form of energy resulting from the flow of charged particles
current (n.) – the flow of electric charge through a conductor
🚫 Antonyms
blackout (n.) – a complete loss of electric power
short circuit (n.) – an unintended path for electric current, causing failure
Wordbook
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