| source : web1913 | Potentate \Po"ten*tate\, n. [LL. potentatus, fr. potentare to exercise power: cf. F. potentat. See {Potent}, a.] One who is potent; one who possesses great power or sway; a prince, sovereign, or monarch. The blessed and only potentate. --1 Tim. vi. 15. Cherub and seraph, potentates and thrones. --Milton. | source : wn | potentate n : someone who rules unconstrained by law [syn: {dictator}]