Full Idea
A causal power is a disposition of something to produce forces of a certain kind.
Gist of Idea
A causal power is a disposition to produce forces
Source
Brian Ellis (Scientific Essentialism [2001], 3.09)
Book Reference
Ellis,Brian: 'Scientific Essentialism' [CUP 2007], p.128
A Reaction
Hence when Leibniz was putting all his emphasis on the origin of the forces in nature, he was referring to exactly what we mean by 'powers'. From Ellis's formulation, I take powers to be more basic than dispositions. Does he realise this?