magnate

[Fr. magnat, from Lat. magnatem, acc us. of magnas prince, from magnus =great; Sp. & Ital. magnate.] 1. A person of rank, position, note, or distinction in any line or sphere. "The lives and estates of the magnates of the realm had been at his mercy." -Macaulay. Hist. Eng., ch. iv. 2. One of the nobility or certain high officers of state forming the House of Magnates in the national representation of Hungary, and formerly of Poland.