-eˌstäs, -tas noun
( plural potesta·tes ˌpōˌteˈstäˌtās, ˌpäd.əˈstād.(ˌ)ēz)
Etymology: Latin potestat-, potestas power, irregular from potis able, capable + -tat-, -tas -ty — more at potent
: the legal authority of a Roman citizen over his descendants and others in his household — compare patria potestas