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despotism

Pronunciation: /ˈdɛspətɪz(ə)m/
Translate despotism | into Italian
Definition of despotism

noun

[mass noun]
  • the exercise of absolute power, especially in a cruel and oppressive way:the ideology of enlightened despotism
  • [count noun] a country or political system where the ruler holds absolute power: some nations are democracies, others are despotisms

Origin:

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

despotism in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of despotism in the US English dictionary