tyrannous

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   using authority in a cruel, oppressive, unjust, or arbitrary way; characteristic of a tyrant

   Unchecked emergency powers gradually made the once accountable government tyrannous.

Formed in late Middle English from Latin tyrannus, 'tyrant,' plus the adjective-forming suffix -ous. Tyrannus came from Greek tyrannos, a ruler with absolute power, and the English word developed the strongly negative sense of oppressive rule.

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