*agnate*

n. [ Cf. F. agnat. ] (Civil Law) A relative whose relationship can be traced exclusively through males. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ F. magnat, L. (pl.) magnates, magnati, fr. magnus great. See Master. ] 1. A person of rank; a noble or grandee; a person of influence or distinction in any sphere; -- used mostly of prominent business executives; as, an industrial magnate. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

2. One of the nobility, or certain high officers of state belonging to the noble estate in the national representation of Hungary, and formerly of Poland. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ L. restagnare to overflow. ] To stagnate; to cease to flow. [ Obs. ] Wiseman. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Stagnated p. pr. & vb. n. Stagnating. ] [ L. stagnatus, p. p. of stagnare to stagnate, make stagnant, from stagnum a piece of standing water. See Stank a pool, and cf. Stanch, v. t. ] 1. To cease to flow; to be motionless; as, blood stagnates in the veins of an animal; hence, to become impure or foul by want of motion; as, air stagnates in a close room. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To cease to be brisk or active; to become dull or inactive; as, commerce stagnates; business stagnates. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ready-witted tenderness . . . never stagnates in vain lamentations while there is any room for hope. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]