Tyranny

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈtɪɹəni/

Origin

From Middle English, from Medieval Latin tyrannia, tyrania, from Ancient Greek τυραννία (turannia, "tyranny"), from τύραννος (turannos, "lord, master, sovereign, tyrrant").

Full definition of tyranny

Noun

1. A government in which a single ruler (a tyrant) has absolute power.
2. The office or jurisdiction of an absolute ruler.
3. Absolute power, or its use.
4. Extreme severity or rigour.

Derived terms

• tyrannical
• tyranny of the majority

Related terms

• tyrant