plenipotentiary

American  

[plen-uh-puh-ten-shee-er-ee, -shuh-ree] / ˌplɛn ə pəˈtɛn ʃiˌɛr i, -ʃə ri /

noun

plenipotentiaries plural

1. a person, especially a diplomatic agent, invested with full power or authority to transact business on behalf of another.

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adjective

1. invested with full power or authority, as a diplomatic agent.

2. conferring or bestowing full power, as a commission.

3. absolute or full, as power.

plenipotentiary British  

/ ˌplɛnɪpəˈtɛnʃərɪ /

adjective

1. (esp of a diplomatic envoy) invested with or possessing full power or authority

2. conferring full power or authority

3. (of power or authority) full; absolute

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noun

1. a person invested with full authority to transact business, esp a diplomat authorized to represent a country See also envoy 1

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• plenipotentiaries
  plural

Etymology

Origin of plenipotentiary

From the Medieval Latin word plēnipotentiārius, dating back to 1635–45. See plenipotent, -i-, -ary

Explanation

An ambassador who independently represents their home country in another country can be called a plenipotentiary. The word plenipotentiary comes from Latin roots, plenus, "complete or full," and potentem, "powerful." Someone who is a plenipotentiary literally has full powers to represent their government — the prime minister or president has officially authorized them to sign treaties or other agreements on behalf of that government. Some (but not all) diplomats are plenipotentiaries.