pseudopotential

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noun

A simplified approximation of the effective potential of electrons in a complex system such as a crystal lattice

OriginEnglish potential ← Late Latin potentialis ← Proto-Indo-European *h₂élisder.? →
UncommonScrabble 20
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Meanings

nounpseudopotential (plural pseudopotentials)

plural pseudopotentials

  1. natural sciencesA simplified approximation of the effective potential of electrons in a complex system such as a crystal lattice

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekψεύδω (pseúdō)
  2. Ancient Greekψευδής (pseudḗs)
  3. Middle Englishpseudo-
  4. Englishpseudo-
  5. Proto-Indo-European*pótis
  6. Proto-Italic*potis
  7. Proto-Italic*potēō
  8. Proto-Italic*potēnts
  9. Latinpotēns
  10. Latinpotentia
  11. Proto-Indo-European*h₂el-
  12. Proto-Indo-European*h₂élisder.?
  13. Late Latinpotentialis
  14. Englishpotential
  15. Englishpseudopotential

From pseudo- + potential.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

pseudopotential. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pseudopotential

MLA

“pseudopotential.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pseudopotential. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “pseudopotential,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pseudopotential.

Source: pseudopotential on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.