I.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.