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Despotism - 4 dictionary results

des⋅pot⋅ism

  [des-puh-tiz-uhm]
Use Despotism in a Sentence
–noun
1. the rule of a despot; the exercise of absolute authority.
2. absolute power or control; tyranny.
3. an absolute or autocratic government.
4. a country ruled by a despot.
Origin:
1720–30; < F despotisme. See despot, -ism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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des·pot·ism   (děs'pə-tĭz'əm)   
n.  
  1. Rule by or as if by a despot; absolute power or authority.
  2. The actions of a despot; tyranny.
    1. A government or political system in which the ruler exercises absolute power: "Kerensky has a place in history, of a brief interlude between despotisms" (William Safire).
    2. A state so ruled.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Despotism

Des"po*tism\, n. [Cf. F. despotisme.]

1. The power, spirit, or principles of a despot; absolute control over others; tyrannical sway; tyranny. "The despotism of vice." --Byron.

2. A government which is directed by a despot; a despotic monarchy; absolutism; autocracy.

Despotism . . . is the only form of government which may with safety to itself neglect the education of its infant poor. --Bp. Horsley.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : Despotism
Spanish: despotismo,
German: der Despotismus,
Japanese: 独裁
More Translations »

despotism [(des-puh-tiz-uhm)]

Unlimited political rule by one person.

Note: The term usually suggests unscrupulous rule, or tyranny.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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