 | WordWeight : Weighing the Words |
| WordWeight : Weighing the Words |
Tyranny
Pronunciation : Tyr"an*ny
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [OE. tirannye, OF. tirannie, F. tyrannie; cf. It. tirannia; Gr. tyrannis. See Tyrant.]
Definition : 1. The government or authority of a tyrant; a country governed by an absolute ruler; hence, arbitrary or despotic exercise of power; exercise of power over subjects and others with a rigor not authorized by law or justice, or not requisite for the purposes of government. "Sir," would he [Seneca] say, "an emperor mote need Be virtuous and hate tyranny." Chaucer.
2. Cruel government or discipline; as, the tyranny of a schoolmaster.
3. Severity; rigor; inclemency. The tyranny of the open night's too rough For nature to endure. Shak.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
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