[ˈdɛspɒt], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a ruler or other person who holds absolute power, typically one who exercises it in a cruel or oppressive way
(e.g: acting illegally would give the despot an excuse to justify his criminality)


Phrases:

Origin:
mid 16th century: from French despote, via medieval Latin from Greek despotēs ‘master, absolute ruler’. Originally (after the Turkish conquest of Constantinople) the term denoted a minor Christian ruler under the Turkish empire. The current sense dates from the late 18th century