dignitary Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an important or influential (and often overbearing) person
    high muckamuck; high-up; panjandrum; VIP; very important person.

WordNet

Dig"ni*ta*ry noun
Etymology
Cf. F. dignitaire, fr. L. dignitas.
Wordforms
plural Dignitaries
Definitions
  1. One who possesses exalted rank or holds a position of dignity or honor; especially, one who holds an ecclesiastical rank above that of a parochial priest or clergyman.

Webster 1913