Former potentate at last getting stick (5)
I believe the answer is:
paste
'stick' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'former potentate at last' is the wordplay.
'former' becomes 'past' (similar in meaning).
'at last' suggests the final letters.
The last letter of 'potentate' is 'e'.
'past'+'e'='PASTE'
'getting' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for paste that I've seen before include "Adhesive gum" , "foie gras" , "Adhesive - thrash" , "Watery cement" , "Adhesive of mixed water and flour" .)