POTENT (2)

Po″tent, n. 1. 1. A prince; a potentate. Shak.
2. 2. [[See Potence.]] A staff or crutch.
3. 3. (Her.) One of the furs; a surface composed of patches which are supposed to represent crutch heads; they are always alternately argent and azure, unless otherwise specially mentioned.
Counter potent (Her.), a fur differing from potent in the arrangement of the patches.