Word of the Day 8.1.08

po·ten·tate (ptn-tt)

n.

1. One who has the power and position to rule over others; a monarch.

2. One who dominates or leads a group or an endeavor: industrial potentates.

[Middle English potentat, from Old French, from Late Latin potenttus, from Latin, power, from potns, present participle of posse, to be able; see potent.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

potentate

Noun

a ruler or monarch [Latin potens powerful]

Collins Essential English Dictionary 2nd Edition 2006 © HarperCollins Publishers 2004, 2006

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun

1.

potentate – a ruler who is unconstrained by law

dictator

ruler, swayer – a person who rules or commands; “swayer of the universe”

shogun – a hereditary military dictator of Japan; the shoguns ruled Japan until the revolution of 1867-68

strongman – a powerful political figure who rules by the exercise of force or violence; “he is determined to bring down the Iraqi strongman”

autocrat, despot, tyrant – a cruel and oppressive dictator

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2008 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

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Posted on August 1, 2008 by admin

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