POH-ten-tayt
(noun) A powerful ruler or monarch.
The potentate ruled the region for decades with unquestioned authority.
Fun Fact
The term “potentate” has a royal ring to it, but it can also be used ironically. You might hear it in reference to a micromanaging boss or a puffed-up HOA president.
soo-SUR-us
(adjective) Characterized by soft, whispering, or rustling sounds.
The susurrous murmur of wind through the leaves made the forest feel alive yet utterly peaceful.
From Latin susurrare — “to whisper.”
Fun Fact
Writers use susurrous to evoke atmosphere—especially scenes filled with gentle natural sound. In poetry, it often describes leaves, grasses, or water moving softly enough to feel intimate, as though nature is whispering secrets. The word is onomatopoetic, meaning its sound imitates its meaning: the repeated “s” mimics the very hush it describes.
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