grandee
noun /ɡrænˈdiː/
/ɡrænˈdiː/
- (in the past) a Spanish or Portuguese nobleman of high rank
- a person of high social rank and importance
- Is corruption condoned by powerful grandees in government and business?
Word Originlate 16th cent.: from Spanish and Portuguese grande ‘grand’, used as a noun. The change of ending was due to association with -ee.