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despotism

Syllabification: (des·pot·ism)
Pronunciation: /ˈdespəˌtizəm/
Translate despotism | into Italian
Definition of despotism

noun

  • the exercise of absolute power, especially in a cruel and oppressive way:the King’s arbitrary despotism
  • a country or political system where the ruler holds absolute power.

Origin:

early 18th century: from French despotisme, from despote (see despot)

despotism in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of despotism in the British & World English dictionary