counter-potencécounter-potencyadj.
Heraldry.
Having the figures called ‘potents’ (shaped like the heads of crutches) arranged as in countervair n.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > heraldic tincture > [adjective] > specific
counter-potencé1572
counter-potent1610
countervairy1731
meirre1847
1572 J. Bossewell Wks. Armorie ii. f. 35 Beareth Sable, a Bende Argent, with twoo double Cotizes, Potences and Counter~potences of three peces d'Or.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Contrepotencé, counterpotencie (a tearme of Blason).
1823 G. Crabb Universal Technol. Dict. Counter-potencé.
Derivatives
counter-potence n. rare (a) Watchmaking and Clockmaking a stud in which the upper pivot of the verge plays; (b) Heraldry.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > instruments for measuring time > watch > [noun] > parts of
barrel1591
motion1605
bezel1616
fusee1622
string1638
crown wheel1646
out-case1651
watch-box1656
nuck1664
watchwork1667
balance-wheel1669
box1675
dial wheel1675
counter-potence1678
pendulum-balance1680
watch-case1681
pillar1684
contrate teeth1696
pinion of report1696
watch-hook1698
bob-balance1701
half-cock1701
potence1704
verge1704
pad1705
movable1709
jewel1711
pendant1721
crystal1722
watch-key1723
pendulum spring1728
lock spring1741
watch-glass1742
watch-spring1761
all-or-nothing piece1764
watch hand1764
cylinder1765
cannon?1780
cannon1802
stackfreed1819
pillar plate1821
little hand1829
hair-spring1830
lunette1832
all-or-nothing1843
locking1851
slag1857
staff1860
case spring1866
stem1866
balance-cock1874
watch-dial1875
balance-spring1881
balance-staff1881
Breguet spring1881
overcoil1881
surprise-piece1881
brass edge1884
button turn1884
fourth wheel1884
fusee-sink1884
pair-case1884
silver bar1884
silver piece1884
slang1884
top plate1884
karrusel1893
watch-face1893
watch bracelet1896
bar-movement1903
jewel pivot1907
jewel bearing1954
society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > heraldic tincture > [noun] > fur > rows of blue and white bells or cups > with bells or cups placed base to base
potent counter potent1708
countervair1766
counter-potence1864
1678 London Gaz. No. 1286/4 The Counter pettance [sic] hath a tail that goeth a quarter of a circle.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Counter Contre-potence, is reckon'd a Fur, as well as Vair and Ermine.
1792 Trans. Soc. Arts 10 219 Supported by two counter pottances upon the upper plate.
1825 ‘J. Nicholson’ Operative Mechanic 503 The potence,..and small or counter potence.., that hold the pivots of the balance-wheel, are small cocks seen in fig. 502,..and are screwed to the top or upper plate within the frame.
1864 C. Boutell Heraldry Hist. & Pop. (ed. 3) xiv. 158 I give the shield of Champagne, in order to show more clearly the field of the Shield between the counter-potences of the cotises.
counter-potent adj. (and n.) applied esp. to a ‘fur’ in which the potents are arranged as in countervair n.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > heraldic tincture > [adjective] > specific
counter-potencé1572
counter-potent1610
countervairy1731
meirre1847
1610 J. Guillim Display of Heraldrie i. iv. 15 I hold it better blazoned, Potent counterpotent, for the resemblance it hath to the heads of crowches.
1830 T. Robson Brit. Herald III. (at cited word) Counter-potent..is classed with the furs, but composed of pieces representing the tops of crutches.
1863 C. Boutell Man. Heraldry v. 26 Potent and Counter Potent, are always Argent and Azure.
1866 J. E. Cussans Gram. Heraldry 12 The furs vair,.., and counterpotent, are always to be blazoned argent and azure.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1893; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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adj.1572