To understand “potentate,” look to the related word “potent,” which can describe a pungent aroma or a strong flavor. Both come from the Latin root “potens,” which means “power.” A potentate is traditionally a ruler or sovereign, but it has come to refer broadly to anyone with great power. In the second context, there’s usually a connotation of wielding absolute power in a limited domain. For example, a pet might rule their home like a potentate, or a manager might flex their power like a potentate.