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plenipotentiary — a person, especially a diplomat, invested with the full power of independent action on behalf of their government

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a person, especially a diplomat, invested with the full power of independent action on behalf of their government

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌplenɪpəˈtenʃiˌeri/

Example Sentences

  • The king sent his plenipotentiary to negotiate peace, hoping he wouldn't accidentally start another war instead.
  • As a plenipotentiary, she had the authority to make decisions that could change the course of history.
  • The CEO gave his assistant plenipotentiary powers over the office snack budget, which turned out to be a grave mistake.

plenipotentiary

NOUN

[/ˌplenɪpəˈtenʃiˌeri/]

a person, especially a diplomat, invested with the full power of independent action on behalf of their government

The plenipotentiary signs the treaty with full authority from his king.
💡 Concept

The plenipotentiary signs the treaty with full authority from his king.

The plenipotentiary's revolutionary signature creates extraordinary change!
🎵 Rhyme

The plenipotentiary's revolutionary signature creates extraordinary change!

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˌplenɪpəˈtenʃiˌeri/
🇬🇧 UK/ˌplenɪpəˈtenʃəri/

🌳Etymology

Rootpleni-
Suffix--iary

Origin

The word derives from Latin, combining plenus (full, complete) and potentia (power, authority). It developed as a ecclesiastical term in the Middle Ages, used to describe papal envoys or representatives granted full powers to act on behalf of the Church.

Breakdown

plenus (full, complete) + potentia (power) + -ary (relating to, connected with). The suffix -ary transforms the noun phrase into an adjective or noun describing one who possesses full powers.

🎵Rhyme

extraordinaryrevolutionaryevolutionary
extraordinary
revolutionary
evolutionary

🔗Collocations

plenipotentiary powers
plenipotentiary minister
plenipotentiary representative
appoint a plenipotentiary
plenipotentiary authority
plenipotentiary conference
envoy plenipotentiary

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The king sent his plenipotentiary to negotiate peace, hoping he wouldn't accidentally start another war instead.”

“As a plenipotentiary, she had the authority to make decisions that could change the course of history.”

😄 Fun example

“The CEO gave his assistant plenipotentiary powers over the office snack budget, which turned out to be a grave mistake.”

“The plenipotentiary arrived with a briefcase full of treaties and a head full of diplomatic strategies.”

📚Related Words

Synonyms

ambassadorenvoyrepresentativedelegateemissary

Antonyms

subordinatedeputyunderling

Related

diplomaticauthorityembassynegotiatetreaty

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