Ceau ‧ çes ‧ cu, Nic ‧ o ‧ lae /tʃaʊˈʃeskuː, ˈnɪkəlaɪ/ BrE AmE
(1918–89) the President of Romania from 1967–1989, known as a cruel ↑ dictator . He used his secret police force to control the people, until he was removed from power by force, and he and his wife were killed.