despot

[ des-puh t, -pot ]

/ ˈdɛs pət, -pɒt /

noun

a king or other ruler with absolute, unlimited power; autocrat.

any tyrant or oppressor.

History/Historical. an honorary title applied to a Byzantine emperor, afterward to members of his family, and later to Byzantine vassal rulers and governors.

Nearby words

Origin of despot

1555–65; < Greek despótēs master < *dems-pot- presumably, “master of the house,” equivalent to *dems-, akin to dómos house + pot-, base of pósis husband, spouse; cf. hospodar, host¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for despots

The Castros are the latest in a long line of despots he believed he could negotiate with.
Obama’s One Hand Clap With Castro|Doug McIntyre|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These affinities are arguably at the heart of the 40-year dalliance of Iranian and Syrian despots.
Iranian Clerics About to Fall?|Abbas Milani|September 13, 2011|DAILY BEAST
As the trial continues, one thing is certain: Both the despots and ordinary people will be watching closely.
How to Try a Dictator|Babak Dehghanpisheh|August 4, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The children of despots often hasten their fathers' downfall.
Dictators' Sons, From Egypt to Libya, Are Doomed|Stephen Kinzer|February 9, 2011|DAILY BEAST

True, there are some Muslims who are fascist, but why blame Islam for the tyranny of despots?
Why the Mosque Scares the Right|M.J. Akbar|August 14, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Italian despots gained their power by violence and wielded it with craft.
Sketches and Studies in Italy and Greece, Second Series|John Addington Symonds
A despot always has his good moments; an assembly of despots never.
Voltaire's Philosophical Dictionary|Voltaire
Leamington seems largely under subjection to that triumvirate of despots—the Butler, the Coachman and the Gardener.
Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great, Vol. 1 of 14|Elbert Hubbard
A despot has always some good moments; an assemblage of despots, never.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 10 (of 10)|Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)
To be sure, in the eyes of superficial observers, the despots with these few favourites will appear perfectly happy and enviable.
Plato and the Other Companions of Sokrates, 3rd ed. Volume IV (of 4)|George Grote

British Dictionary definitions for despots

despot

/ (ˈdɛspɒt) /

noun

an absolute or tyrannical ruler; autocrat or tyrant

any person in power who acts tyrannically

a title borne by numerous persons of rank in the later Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empiresthe despot of Servia

Derived Formsdespotic (dɛsˈpɒtɪk) or despotical, adjectivedespotically, adverb

Word Origin for despot

C16: from Medieval Latin despota, from Greek despotēs lord, master; related to Latin domus house

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for despots

despot

1560s, "absolute ruler," from Old French despot (14c.), from Medieval Latin despota, from Greek despotes "master of a household, lord, absolute ruler," from PIE *dems-pota-; for first element see domestic (adj.); second element cognate with Latin potis, potens (see potent).

Faintly pejorative in Greek, progressively more so as used in various languages for Roman emperors, Christian rulers of Ottoman provinces, and Louis XVI during the French Revolution. The female equivalent was despoina "lady, queen, mistress," source of the proper name Despina.

despot

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of despot

Examples from the Web for despots

despot

noun

Word Origin for despot

despot