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despot definition

des·pot (des′pət)

noun

  1. Archaic a title meaning “master,” applied to certain classes of rulers, as Byzantine emperors or bishops of the Greek church
  2. an absolute ruler; king with unlimited powers; autocrat
  3. anyone in charge who acts like a tyrant

Etymology: OFr despote < Gr despotēs, a master, lord < IE *dems-potis, lit., house master < *dem-, house (> timber, L domus) + *potis, master, husband (> L potis, potent, Goth -faths, husband)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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