English Explanatory Dictionary

despot

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A ruler with absolute power; a tyrant.
  2. A title awarded to senior members of the imperial family in the late Byzantine Empire, and claimed by various independent or semi-autonomous rulers in the Balkans (12th to 15th centuries)

Pronunciation

/ˈdɛs.pɒt/ /ˈdɛz.pɒt/ /ˈdɛs.pət/ En-ca-despot-2.oga

Word forms

despot despots

Etymology

From Middle French despote, from Old French despote, from Medieval Latin despota, from Ancient Greek δεσπότης (despótēs, “lord, master, owner”). Cognate with Sanskrit दम्पति (dámpati).

Derived words

archdespot despotat despotate despotess despotic despotism despotist despotize despotocracy despotry
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