Both Uses of
despot
in
1984, by Orwell
- The command of the old despotisms was "Thou shalt not".†
p. 255.6despotisms = governments with a ruler who has absolute power
- The more the Party is powerful, the less it will be tolerant: the weaker the opposition, the tighter the despotism.†
p. 268.4 *despotism = a system of government with a ruler who has absolute power -- especially one who abuses that power
Definition:
a ruler with absolute power -- especially one who abuses that power