Hypertext Webster Gateway: "despotism"
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) 1.7 (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}]
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