The Only Use of
potentate
in
A Tale of Two Cities
- …and rode away; the mail was waylaid by seven robbers, and the guard shot three dead, and then got shot dead himself by the other four, "in consequence of the failure of his ammunition:" after which the mail was robbed in peace; that magnificent potentate, the Lord Mayor of London, was made to stand and deliver on Turnham Green, by one highwayman, who despoiled the illustrious creature in sight of all his retinue; prisoners in London gaols fought battles with their turnkeys, and the…†
Chpt 1.1
Definition:
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(potentate) a powerful ruler -- especially one who is unconstrained by law