A ruler or member of a powerful ruling family; a person from a dynasty who holds significant authority or power.
From Greek dynastia 'power, rule' (from dynamis 'power'). Used in English since the 1600s to describe members of royal or ruling families.
The British royal family members are dynasts—the word originally meant 'one with power,' connecting it back to ancient Greek ideas about rulers as the most powerful people in society.
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