[mag-neyt, -nit] 
| 1. | a person of great influence, importance, or standing in a particular enterprise, field of business, etc.: a railroad magnate. |
| 2. | a person of eminence or distinction in any field: literary magnates. |
| 3. | a member of the former upper house in either the Polish or Hungarian parliament. |
| mag·nate (māg'nāt', -nĭt) n. A powerful or influential person, especially in business or industry: an oil magnate. [From Middle English magnates, magnates, from Late Latin magnātēs, pl. of magnās, magnate, from Latin magnus, great; see meg- in Indo-European roots.] |