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Potentate
//ˈpoʊ.tən.teɪt// adj, noun
Definitions
Adjective
- 1 Regnant, powerful, dominant. obsolete
Noun
- 1 A powerful leader; a monarch; a ruler.
"But Kings and mightieſt Potentates muſt die, For that's the end of humane miſerie."
- 2 a ruler who is unconstrained by law wordnet
- 3 A powerful polity or institution.
- 4 A self-important person. derogatory
- 5 Someone acting in an important role. humorous
""Those foreigners," thought the female potentate of the Sun, "won't know what to order; but I'll show them what a good supper is.""
Etymology
Etymology 1
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 (“I am able”).
Etymology 2
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 (“I am able”).
See also for "potentate"
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