despot

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a ruler who holds absolute power and uses it in a cruel, oppressive, or arbitrary way

   The despot jailed journalists who criticized his rule.

2. 2
   noun

   historical: a title given to senior members of the Byzantine imperial family and later used by some rulers in the Balkans

   The emperor granted the title of despot to a senior member of the imperial family.

Simplified etymology

Despot entered English in the mid-16th century through French and medieval Latin from Greek despotēs “master, lord, absolute ruler.” After the Turkish conquest of Constantinople, it originally denoted a petty Christian ruler under the Turkish Empire. Its current sense dates from the late 18th century.

From Middle French despote, via Medieval Latin despota, from Ancient Greek despotes, 'master, lord, or householder.' In English it first denoted an absolute ruler; modern use usually emphasizes oppressive or arbitrary power.

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