Lexic.us

Definition of Tyrant

1. Noun. A cruel and oppressive dictator.

2. Noun. In ancient Greece, a ruler who had seized power without legal right to it.

3. Noun. Any person who exercises power in a cruel way. "His father was a tyrant"

Definition of Tyrant

1. n. An absolute ruler; a sovereign unrestrained by law or constitution; a usurper of sovereignty.

2. v. i. To act like a tyrant; to play the tyrant; to tyrannical.

Definition of Tyrant

1. Noun. An absolute ruler who governs without restriction. ¹

2. Noun. A harsh and cruel ruler. ¹

3. Noun. An oppressive, cruel and harsh person. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Tyrant

1. an absolute ruler [n -S]

Medical Definition of Tyrant

1. 1. An absolute ruler; a sovereign unrestrained by law or constitution; a usurper of sovereignty. Free governments [in Greece] having superseded the old hereditary sovereignties (basilei^ai), all who obtained absolute power in a state were called tyrannoi, tyrants, or rather despots; for the term rather regards the irregular way in which the power was gained, whether force or fraud, than the way in which it was exercised, being applied to the mild Pisistratus, but not to the despotic kings of Persia. However, the word soon came to imply reproach, and was then used like our tyrant. 2. Specifically, a monarch, or other ruler or master, who uses power to oppress his subjects; a person who exercises unlawful authority, or lawful authority in an unlawful manner; one who by taxation, injustice, or cruel punishment, or the demand of unreasonable services, imposes burdens and hardships on those under his control, which law and humanity do not authorise, or which the purposes of government do not require; a cruel master; an oppressor. "This false tyrant, this Nero." "Love, to a yielding heart, is a king, but to a resisting, is a tyrant." (Sir P. Sidney) 3. Any one of numerous species of American clamatorial birds belonging to the family Tyrannidae; called also tyrant bird. These birds are noted for their irritability and pugnacity, and for the courage with which they attack rapacious birds far exceeding them in size and strength. They are mostly plain-coloured birds, but often have a bright-coloured crown patch. A few species, as the scissorstail, are handsomely coloured. The kingbird and pewee are familiar examples. Tyrant flycatcher, any one of numerous species of American tyrants of the genus Tyrannus having a strong toothed bill and resembling the strikes in habits. The kingbird is an example. Origin: OE. Tirant, tiraunt, tyraunt, OF. Tiran, tirant (probably from confusion with the p. Pr. Of verbs), F. Tyran, L. Tyrannus, Gr, originally, an absolute sovereign, but afterwards, a severe or cruel ruler. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Tyrant

tyrannizers tyrannizes tyrannizing tyrannosaur tyrannosauri tyrannosauroid tyrannosauroids tyrannosaurs tyrannosaurus tyrannosauruses

tyrannous tyrannously tyranny tyranny of the majority tyrans tyrant (current term) tyrant bird tyrant flycatcher tyrant flycatchers tyranted

tyranting tyrants tyrase tyraunt tyre tyre-pressure tyre-pressure gauge tyre-pressure gauges tyre bead tyre gauge

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