pouvier

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Norman

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Old French povoir, pooir, from early Old French poeir, from Vulgar Latin potēre (to be able) for Classical Latin posse, present active infinitive of possum. *Potēre was a regularized form from the root potis (able) or formed on the basis of the present participle potens. The v is an epenthetic consonant added to avoid hiatus.

Verb

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pouvier

  1. (Guernsey) can, to be able to
    • 1903, Edgar MacCulloch, “Proverbs, Weather Sayings, etc.”, in Guernsey Folk Lore[1], page 517:
      Va où tu peux, meurs où tu deis.
      Go where you can, die where you must.