potentate

a ruler or sovereign; broadly: one who weild great power or sway

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

Did You Know?

Wielding its power in English since the 15th century, "potentate" comes from the Late Latin potent-, meaning "powerful." Other descendants of potent- in English include "potent" itself, "impotent," and omnipotent," as well as the archais "armipotent" and very rare "bellipotent" (meaning, respectively, "mighty in battle" and "mighty in war"). Even"power" and "powerful" can be traced back to potent-

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