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n. 1. A ruler with absolute power. 2. A person who wields power oppressively; a tyrant. 3. a. A Byzantine emperor or prince. b. An Eastern Orthodox bishop or patriarch. [French despote, from Medieval Latin despota, from Greek despotēs, master; see dem- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] des·potic (dĭ-spŏtĭk) adj. des·poti·cal·ly adv. |
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