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despotism

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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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Cultural Dictionary

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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