What does powers that be mean?

Definitions for powers that be
pow·er·s that be

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word powers that be.


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Wiktionary

  1. powers that benoun

    The holders of power or the authorities in a given situation, especially as seen as being faceless or unreasonably bureaucratic.

  2. Etymology: After the Authorized Version of the Bible, Romans 13:1: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: The powers that be are ordained of God."

Wikidata

  1. Powers That Be

    The Powers That Be is a title for the enigmatic and ancient forces that assist the side of good in the WB television series Angel. The first mention of The Powers That Be comes in season one of Angel, when a half-human, half-demon named Doyle makes contact with Angel and claims that the Powers send him visions of people in trouble who need Angel's help. The visions are extremely powerful, come at seemingly random times, and cause extreme pain in the recipient. Though Angel never makes contact with the Powers themselves, he does communicate with them in a number of ways. ⁕The Visions. The visions are first given to Doyle, then pass to Cordelia and finally make their way to Angel. The Powers send roughly 30 visions over the course of the series. The visions tend to have double meanings. There is a micro-purpose and macro-purpose to each vision. For instance, the Power's first vision tells Doyle that "we have a common enemy." On a micro scale, the Powers mean the Scourge. On the macro scale, they mean the Senior Partners or evil itself. While helping people, the visions tend to make Angel meet the right people who are useful to plans and prophecies later. However, the visions typically cause the bearer great pain, and only demons or those with demonic heritage can bear them without suffering long-term damage.

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of powers that be in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of powers that be in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of powers that be in a Sentence

  1. Nadine Gordimer:

    Perhaps the best definition of progress would be the continuing efforts of men and women to narrow the gap between the convenience of the powers that be and the unwritten charter.

  2. Josh Putnam:

    The experience in 1988 was not one that the powers-that-be at the time really wanted.

  3. Doug Bruno:

    Brittney is a great human being. No one deserves what Brittney's going through. Enough is (absolutely) enough. It's time for the powers that be to bring Brittney home.

  4. Pat Dowell:

    This was an attempt to suppress, in my case, my community, an African American community, solidly Democratic, suppress voter turnout in this upcoming general election, it's unfortunate that the powers that be, or whoever is behind this, would stoop so low to keep people from voting their choice this election, which is very, very important.

  5. Grand Slam champion John McEnroe:

    It just seems cruel and unusual punishment for these guys, i hope this magnificent effort by these two experienced and very fit professionals allows the powers that be to make a change.


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"powers that be." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/powers+that+be>.

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