Etymology of the English word nilpotent
the English word
nilpotentderived from the English word
nilderived from the Latin word
nil (nothing; no; trifle)
derived from the English word
potentderived from the Latin word
potens (powerful, strong; capable)
derived from the Latin word
posse (to be able; be able, can; [multum posse => have much)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*poti- (powerful, lord)
Usage
Word found in Modern English
