Word of the Day

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

plenipotentiary

\plen-uh-puh-TEN-shee-air-ee; -shuh-ree\ , adjective;

Containing or conferring full power; invested with full power; as, "plenipotentiary license; plenipotentiary ministers."

noun:

A person invested with full power to transact any business; especially, an ambassador or diplomatic agent with full power to negotiate a treaty or to transact other business.

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Quotes:

There were two accounts, one in a news article, the second in the editorial section, telling the minihistory of Pol Pot, sometime plenipotentiary ruler of Cambodia.

-- William F. Buckley Jr., The Redhunter

At that time, Egypt was our protectorate, which meant the High Commissioner was the plenipotentiary of George V and carried independent authority.

-- David Freeman, One of Us

Origin:

Plenipotentiary derives from Latin plenus, "full" + potens, "powerful."