pŏtentātus, ūs, m. [potens], might, power.
I In gen. (eccl. Lat.), Arn. 1, 31.—
II In partic., political power , rule , dominion , command (= principatus; so class.): post interitum Tatii cum ad eum potentatus omnis recidisset, * Cic. Rep. 2, 8, 14: de potentatu contendere, Caes. B. G. 1, 31, 4; Liv. 26, 38, 7.—
III Transf., of persons, a potentate (late Lat.), plur.: honores et potentatus contemnere, Lact. 6, 17 med. ; Cypr. Exh. Mart. 11.