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despotism definition

des·pot·ism (des′pə tiz′əm)

noun

  1. rule or domination by a despot; autocracy
  2. the methods or acts of a despot; tyranny
  3. a political system, state, etc. dominated by a despot

Etymology: Fr despotisme

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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