satrap Hear it!

satrap definition

sa·trap (sā′trap′, sa′-)

noun

  1. the governor of a province in ancient Persia
  2. a ruler of a dependency, esp. a despotic, subordinate official; petty tyrant

Etymology: ME < L satrapes < Gr satrapēs < OPers xšathrapāvan, lit., protector of the land < xšathra, dominion (< IE base *kthēi-, to gain dominion > Gr ktēma, possession) + *pā(y)-, to protect < IE base *pō(i)-, to herd sheep, protect, cover > OE fothor, sheath

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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