browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
more about despotism
despotism |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: despotism n 1: dominance through threat of punishment and violence [syn: {absolutism}, {tyranny}] 2: a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.) [syn: {dictatorship}, {absolutism}, {authoritarianism}, {Caesarism}, {monocracy}, {one-man rule}, {shogunate}, {Stalinism}, {totalitarianism}, {tyranny}]
more about despotism
This work is licensed under a
