- The definition of a potentate is a ruler or someone with power.
An example of a potentate is a king.
potentate
noun
a person having great power; ruler; monarch
Origin of potentate
Middle English potentat ; from Late Latin potentatus ; from Ecclesiastical Late Latin power, rule ; from Classical Latin potens: see potentpotentate
noun
- One who has the power and position to rule over others; a monarch.
- One who dominates or leads a group or an endeavor: industrial potentates.
Origin of potentate
Middle English potentat, from Old French, from Late Latin potentātus, from Latin, power, from potēns, present participle of posse, to be able; see potent.potentate
Origin
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”).
