The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word POTENTATE
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
P
O
T
E
N
T
A
T
E
More clues leading to the result POTENTATE
- Head accommodating over wine for mogul
- Big cheese spread including old wine
- Writer about to set up cheap material on eastern ruler
- Ruler from east, in main Bible parts, depicted in crown
- Sum of money gets space at gallery for person of influence
- Writer includes Old Testament rubbish on Egypt’s foremost ruler
- Sovereign head consuming ordinary wine
- Powerful ruler in old marquee introduced to head
- Ruler had meal behind shelter by river
- Head accepts old, big top chief
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "ruler" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case ruler = potentate.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does POTENTATE mean?
POTENTATE noun- A powerful leader; a monarch; a ruler.
- A powerful polity or institution.
- A self-important person.
- Regnant, powerful, dominant.