Tyranny" : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: Tyranny	by the DICT Development Group
2 results for Tyranny
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
tyranny n a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.) Synonym(s): dictatorship, absolutism, authoritarianism, Caesarism, despotism, monocracy, one-man rule, shogunate, Stalinism, totalitarianism, tyranny dominance through threat of punishment and violence Synonym(s): absolutism, tyranny, despotism
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Tyranny \Tyr"anny\, n. [OE. tirannye, OF. tirannie, F. tyrannie; cf. It. tirannia; Gr. [?], [?], 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. [bd]Sir,[b8] would he [Seneca] say, [bd]an emperor mote need Be virtuous and hate tyranny.[b8] --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.