Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Tyranny
Tyr′an-ny
(tĭr′an-ny̆)
, Noun.
[OE.
tirannye
, OF. tirannie
, F. tyrannie
; cf. It. tirannia
; Gr. τυραννία
, τυραννίς
, L. tyrannis
. See Tyrant
.] 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
Be virtuous and hate
tyranny
.” Chaucer.
2.
Cruel government or discipline;
as, the
. tyranny
of a schoolmaster3.
Severity; rigor; inclemency.
The
For nature to endure.
tyranny
of the open night’s too roughFor nature to endure.
Shakespeare
Webster 1828 Edition
Tyranny
TYR'ANNY
,Noun.
1.
Arbitrary or despotic exercise of power; the exercise of power over subjects and others with a rigor not authorized by law or justice, or not requisite for the purposes of government. Hence tyranny is often synonymous with cruelty and oppression.2.
Cruel government or discipline; as the tyranny of a master.3.
Unresisted and cruel power.4.
Absolute monarchy cruelly administered.5.
Severity; rigor; inclemency. The tyranny o' th' open night.
Definition 2025
tyranny
tyranny
English
Noun
tyranny (countable and uncountable, plural tyrannies)
- A government in which a single ruler (a tyrant) has absolute power; this system of government.
- The office or jurisdiction of an absolute ruler.
- Absolute power, or its use.
- A system of government in which power is exercised on behalf of the ruler or ruling class, without regard to the wishes of the governed.
- Extreme severity or rigour.
Synonyms
- (government): autocracy, despotism, dictatorship, monarchy
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
government in which a single ruler has absolute power
|
office or jurisdiction of an absolute ruler
absolute power, or its use
extreme severity or rigour