plenipotentiary

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

noun, plural plen·i·po·ten·ti·ar·ies.

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

adjective

invested with full power or authority, as a diplomatic agent.
conferring or bestowing full power, as a commission.
absolute or full, as power.

Origin of plenipotentiary

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

Words nearby plenipotentiary

Example sentences from the Web for plenipotentiary

British Dictionary definitions for plenipotentiary

plenipotentiary
/ (ˌplɛnɪpəˈtɛnʃərɪ) /

adjective

(esp of a diplomatic envoy) invested with or possessing full power or authority
conferring full power or authority
(of power or authority) full; absolute

noun plural -aries

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

Word Origin for plenipotentiary

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