Potentate

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)
potentate
    n 1: a ruler who is unconstrained by law [syn: {dictator},
         {potentate}]
    
from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
   [1913 Webster]

         The blessed and only potentate.          --1 Tim. vi.
                                                  15.
   [1913 Webster]

         Cherub and seraph, potentates and thrones. --Milton.
   [1913 Webster]
    
from Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
POTENTATE. One who has a great power over, an extended country; a sovereign. 
     2. By the naturalization laws, an alien is required, before he can be 
naturalized, to renounce all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, 
potentate, state, or sovereign whatever. 
    
from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0
27 Moby Thesaurus words for "potentate":
      anointed king, chief, chieftain, crowned head, dynast, emperor,
      grand duke, high chief, imperator, king, king-emperor, kinglet,
      lord paramount, majesty, monarch, overlord, paramount, petty king,
      prince, prince consort, royal, royal personage, royalty, ruler,
      sovereign, suzerain, tetrarch

    

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