prepotent

adjective

pre·​po·​tent (ˌ)prē-ˈpō-tᵊnt 

1

a

: having exceptional power, authority, or influence

b

: exceeding others in power

2

: exhibiting genetic prepotency

prepotently adverb

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin praepotent-, praepotens, from prae- + potens powerful — more at potent

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Medical Definition

prepotent

adjective

pre·​po·​tent -ˈpōt-ᵊnt 

1

: exhibiting genetic prepotency : dominant

2

: having priority over other response tendencies especially by virtue of maturational primacy, recentness of emission or evocation, repetition with positive reinforcement, or greater motivational charge

the prepotent response is that with the greatest immediately effective habit strength