dictator

[ dik-tey-ter, dik-tey-ter ]
See synonyms for: dictatordictators on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a person exercising absolute power, especially a ruler who has absolute, unrestricted control in a government without hereditary succession.

  2. (in ancient Rome) a person invested with supreme authority during a crisis, the regular magistracy being subordinated to him until the crisis was met.

  1. a person who authoritatively prescribes conduct, usage, etc.: a dictator of fashion.

  2. a person who dictates, as to a secretary.

Origin of dictator

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin dictātor, from dictā(re) “to say repeatedly, prescribe, order” (see dictate) + -tor -tor

Words Nearby dictator

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How to use dictator in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dictator

dictator

/ (dɪkˈteɪtə) /


noun
    • a ruler who is not effectively restricted by a constitution, laws, recognized opposition, etc

    • an absolute, esp tyrannical, ruler

  1. (in ancient Rome) a person appointed during a crisis to exercise supreme authority

  1. a person who makes pronouncements, as on conduct, fashion, etc, which are regarded as authoritative

  2. a person who behaves in an authoritarian or tyrannical manner

Derived forms of dictator

  • dictatress (dɪkˈteɪtrɪs) or dictatrix (ˈdɪktətrɪks), fem n

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