Mag"nate (?), [F. magnat, L. (pl.) magnates, magnati, fr. magnus great. See Master.]
1.
A person of rank; a noble or grandee; a person of influence or distinction in any sphere.
<-- used mostly of prominent business executives; an industrial magnate -->
Macaulay.
2.
One of the nobility, or certain high officers of state belonging to the noble estate in the national representation of Hungary, and formerly of Poland.
© Webster 1913.