The definition of a potentate is a ruler or someone with power.
(noun)An example of a potentate is a king.
See potentate in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
Origin: ME potentat < LL potentatus < LL(Ec), power, rule < L potens: see potent
See potentate in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
Origin:
Origin: Middle English potentat
Origin: , from Old French
Origin: , from Late Latin potentātus
Origin: , from Latin, power
Origin: , from potēns
Origin: , present participle of posse, to be able; see potent
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