despot
despot Lexical Profile
despot Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A ruler or other person who holds absolute power, typically one who exercises it in a cruel, oppressive, or tyrannical way.
"The historical treatise examined how the ruthless despot consolidated control over the legislature and silenced political dissent."
A high-ranking court title or honorific conferred upon Byzantine emperors, tributary princes, and senior Eastern Orthodox bishops (historically).
"In the twelfth century, the Byzantine emperor bestowed the title of despot upon his prospective heir and son-in-law."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed via Middle French despote and Medieval Latin despota from Ancient Greek despótēs ('master of the house, lord, absolute ruler'), a compound of *dems- ('house') and pótis ('master, husband').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.