plenipotentiary

[ plen-uh-puh-ten-shee-er-ee, -shuh-ree ]
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noun,plural plen·i·po·ten·ti·ar·ies.
  1. a person, especially a diplomatic agent, invested with full power or authority to transact business on behalf of another.

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

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

  1. absolute or full, as power.

Origin of plenipotentiary

1
From the Medieval Latin word plēnipotentiārius, dating back to 1635–45. See plenipotent, -i-, -ary

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British Dictionary definitions for plenipotentiary

plenipotentiary

/ (ˌplɛnɪpəˈtɛnʃərɪ) /


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

  2. conferring full power or authority

  1. (of power or authority) full; absolute

nounplural -aries
  1. a person invested with full authority to transact business, esp a diplomat authorized to represent a country: See also envoy 1 (def. 1)

Origin of plenipotentiary

1
C17: from Medieval Latin plēnipotentiārius, from Latin plēnus full + potentia power

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