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.

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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