Definitions for Despotism
ˈdɛs pəˌtɪz əmdespo·tism

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. absolutism, tyranny, despotismnoun

   dominance through threat of punishment and violence

2. dictatorship, absolutism, authoritarianism, Caesarism, despotism, monocracy, one-man rule, shogunate, Stalinism, totalitarianism, tyrannynoun

   a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. despotismnoun

   government by a singular authority, either a single person or tight-knit group, which rules with absolute power

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Despotismnoun

   Absolute power.

   Etymology: despotisme, French, from despot.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Despotism

   Despotism (Greek: Δεσποτισμός, despotismós) is a form of government in which a single entity rules with absolute power. Normally, that entity is an individual, the despot; but (as in an autocracy) societies which limit respect and power to specific groups have also been called despotic.Colloquially, the word despot applies pejoratively to those who use their power and authority to oppress their populace, subjects, or subordinates. More specifically, the term often applies to a head of state or government. In this sense, it is similar to the pejorative connotations that are associated with the terms tyrant and dictator.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Despotismnoun

   the power, spirit, or principles of a despot; absolute control over others; tyrannical sway; tyranny

2. Despotismnoun

   a government which is directed by a despot; a despotic monarchy; absolutism; autocracy

3. Etymology: [Cf. F. despotisme.]

WikidataRate this definition:3.5 / 2 votes

1. Despotism

   Despotism is a form of government in which a single entity rules with absolute power. That entity may be an individual, as in an autocracy, or it may be a group, as in an oligarchy. The word despotism means to "rule in the fashion of a despot" and does not necessarily require a singular "despot", an individual. Despot comes from the Greek despotes, which roughly means "master" or "one with power", and it has been used to translate a wide variety of titles and positions. It was used to describe the unlimited power and authority of the Pharaohs of Egypt, employed in the Byzantine court as a title of nobility, used by the rulers of Byzantine vassal states, and adopted as a title of the Byzantine Emperors. Thus, despot is found to have different meanings and interpretations at various times in history and can not be described by a single definition. This is similar to the other Greek titles basileus and autokrator, which, along with despot, have been used at various times to describe everything from a local chieftain to a simple ruler, king or emperor. Colloquially, despot has been applied pejoratively to a person, particularly a head of state or government, who abuses their power and authority to oppress their people, subjects or subordinates. In this sense, it is similar to the pejorative connotations that have likewise arisen with the term tyrant. Dictator has also developed nearly similar pejorative connotations, though despot and tyrant tend to stress cruelty and even enjoyment therefrom, while dictator tends to imply more harshness or unfair implementation of law.

Matched Categories

1. • Autocracy
   • Dominance

How to pronounce Despotism?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say Despotism in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of Despotism in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of Despotism in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of Despotism in a Sentence

1. Friedrich Nietzsche:

   Socialism is the phantastic younger brother of despotism, which it wants to inherit. Socialism wants to have the fullness of state force which before only existed in despotism. ... However, it goes further than anything in the past because it aims at the formal destruction of the individual ... who ... can be used to improve communities by an expedient organ of government.

2. Herbert Spencer:

   If men use their liberty in such a way as to surrender their liberty, are they thereafter any the less slaves If people by a plebiscite elect a man despot over them, do they remain free because the despotism was of their own making

3. Marquis de Sade:

   If the objects who serve us feel ecstacy, they are much more often concerned with themselves than with us, and our own enjoyment is consequently impaired. The idea of seeing another person experience the same pleasure reduces one to a kind of equality which spoils the unutterable charms that come from despotism.

4. Fisher Ames:

   ...[O]ur sages in the great [constitutional] convention... intended our government should be a republic which differs more widely from a democracy than a democracy from a despotism. The rigours of a despotism often... oppress only a few, but it is the very essence and nature of a democracy, for a faction claiming to oppress a minority, and that minority the chief owners of the property and truest lovers of their country.

5. Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel:

   The East knew and to the present day knows only that One is Free; the Greek and the Roman world, that some are free; the German World knows that All are free. The first political form therefore which we observe in History, is Despotism, the second Democracy and Aristocracy, the third, Monarchy.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=Despotism
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Despotism
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=Despotism
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Despotism
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Despotism
6. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=Despotism