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Definition of plenipotentiary - 3 dictionary results

plen⋅i⋅po⋅ten⋅ti⋅ar⋅y

[plen-uh-puh-ten-shee-er-ee, -shuh-ree] noun, plural -ar⋅ies, adjective
–noun
1. a person, esp. a diplomatic agent, invested with full power or authority to transact business on behalf of another.
–adjective
2. invested with full power or authority, as a diplomatic agent.
3. conferring or bestowing full power, as a commission.
4. absolute or full, as power.

Origin:
1635–45; < ML plēnipotentiārius. See plenipotent, -i-, -ary
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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plen·i·po·ten·ti·ar·y   (plěn'ə-pə-těn'shē-ěr'ē, -shə-rē)   
adj.  Invested with or conferring full powers: a plenipotentiary deputy.
n.   pl. plen·i·po·ten·ti·ar·ies
A diplomatic agent, such as an ambassador, fully authorized to represent his or her government.

[Medieval Latin plēnipotentiārius, from Late Latin plēnipotēns, plēnipotent-, invested with full power : Latin plēnus, full; see pelə-1 in Indo-European roots + Latin potēns, powerful; see potent.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

plenipotentiary 
c.1645, from M.L. plenipotentiarius "having full power," from L. plenus "full" (see plenary) + potentem "powerful" (see potent).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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