ETYM French despote, Late Lat. despotus, from Greek despoths master, lord, the second part of which is akin to posis husband, and Latin potens. Related to Potent.
1. A master; a lord; especially, an absolute or irresponsible ruler or sovereign.
2. One who rules regardless of a constitution or laws; a tyrant.

ETYM Latin.
Someone who rules unconstrained by law; SYN. potentate.
1. A person granted absolute emergency power; especially; one appointed by the senate of ancient Rome.
2. One holding complete autocratic control.
3. One ruling absolutely and often oppressively.
4. One that dictates.

ETYM Old Eng. tirant, tiraunt, tyraunt, Old Fren. tiran, French tyran, Latin tyrannus, Greek tyrannos, originally, an absolute sovereign, but afterwards, a severe or cruel ruler.
A dictator or dictatorial person; SYN. autocrat, despot.
In the ancient Greek city-states, a usurper who seized power, especially in the 7th and 6th centuries bc. Tyrannies weakened aristocratic control, and could lead toward democracy. For example the Pisistratids at Athens and Polycrates in Samos were tyrants who actively promoted public building and civic culture while cultivating personal prestige and power. + prikaži više