Definition

The process by which one substance increases the effectiveness of another substance without causing harm on its own.

Example

The potentiation of the medication improved the patient's response to treatment.

Conversation

Have you heard about potentiation in medicine?

Yeah, it's interesting how one drug can enhance another's effect.

Right? I read that it can make treatments much more effective.

Exactly! It's amazing what they can do with combinations.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Potentiation is formed from "potent" (from Latin "potens", meaning powerful or having power) and the suffix "-ation" (meaning the action or process of). The word describes the process of making something more powerful or effective.

Memory Tip

Think of 'potent' meaning powerful, and '-ation' indicating a process. So, potentiation is the process of making something more powerful.

Visually Confused Words