n.
(pl. tyrannies)
- cruel and oppressive government or rule.
▸a state under such rule.
- cruel and arbitrary exercise of power or control.
- (especially in ancient Greece) rule by a tyrant.
Derivative
- tyrannical adj.
- tyrannically adv.
- tyrannize
or tyrannise v. - tyrannous adj.
- tyrannously adv.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. tyrannie, from late L. tyrannia, from L. turannus (see tyrant).
