Dēs'pot, n.

n. [Fr. despote, Sp. despota, despoto, It. despota, despoto, dispoto, Gr. δεσπότης, master, lord, allied to O. Slav. gospodi, gospodarij, gospodin, master, lord.]

1. One who exercises or possesses absolute power over another; a master; a lord; especially, a sovereign invested with absolute power.
2. One who rules regardless of a constitution or laws; a tyrant.