potentate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A powerful leader; a monarch; a ruler.
  2. A powerful polity or institution.
  3. A self-important person.
  4. Someone acting in an important role.
adj
  1. Regnant, powerful, dominant.

Pronunciation

/ˈpəʊ.tən.teɪt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-potentate.wav /ˈpoʊ.tən.teɪt/

Word forms

potentate potentates more potentate most potentate

Etymology

From Middle English potentat, from Old French, from Late Latin potentātus (“rule, political power”), from Latin potēns (“powerful, strong”), the active present participle of possum (“to be able”).

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