magnat

magnate, tycoon

noun mahg-NAH Rare

Origin: Polish/Hungarian magnat, from Latin magnus (great)

Usage Note

Magnat describes a very powerful figure in industry or finance, close in register to English 'tycoon' or 'mogul'. The final t is silent. The feminine magnate is rare; the word is most often used in masculine form even generically.

Examples

"Ce magnat du pétrole possède plusieurs yachts."

Natural Translation

This oil magnate owns several yachts.

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