What is "cross potent"

Potent \Po"tent\, a. [L. potens, -entis, p. pr. of posse to be able, to have power, fr. potis able, capable (akin to Skr. pati master, lord) + esse to be. See Host a landlord, Am, and cf. Despot, Podesta, Possible, Power, Puissant.]

1. Producing great physical effects; forcible; powerful' efficacious; as, a potent medicine. ``Harsh and potent injuries.''
   --Shak.

   Moses once more his potent rod extends.
   --Milton.

2. Having great authority, control, or dominion; puissant; mighty; influential; as, a potent prince. ``A potent dukedom.''
   --Shak.

   Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors.
   --Shak.

3. Powerful, in an intellectual or moral sense; having great influence; as, potent interest; a potent argument.

   Cross potent. (Her.) See Illust. (7) of Cross.

   Syn: Powerful; mighty; puissant; strong; able; efficient; forcible; efficacious; cogent; influential.

A cross potent (plural: crosses potent), also known as a crutch cross, is a form of heraldic cross with crossbars or " crutches" at the four ends. In German, it is known as a Krückenkreuz (literally "crutches cross"). Potent is an old word for a crutch, from a late Middle English alteration of Old French potence 'crutch', from Latin potentia 'power' (which in medieval Latin meant 'crutch'). The term potent is also used in heraldic terminology to describe a 'T' shaped alteration of vair, and potenté is a line of partition contorted into a series of 'T' shapes.