Word of the Day

: March 24, 2008

potentate

noun POH-tun-tayt

What It Means

: ruler, sovereign; broadly : one who wields great power or sway

potentate in Context

His work as a high-level diplomat frequently brings him into contact with foreign potentates.

Did You Know?

"Potentate" has been wielding its power in English since the 15th century. It comes from the Late Latin "potentatus," which in turn was formed from the Latin "potent-," meaning "powerful." Other descendants of "potent-" in English include "potent" itself, "impotent," and "omnipotent," as well as the archaic "armipotent" and very rare "bellipotent" (meaning, respectively, "mighty in battle" and "mighty in war"). Even "power" and "powerful" can be traced back to "potent-."