TYRANNY


Meaning of TYRANNY in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈtir-ə-nē ]

noun

( plural -nies )

Etymology: Middle English tyrannie, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin tyrannia, from Latin tyrannus tyrant

Date: 14th century

1. : oppressive power

every form of tyranny over the mind of man — Thomas Jefferson

especially : oppressive power exerted by government

the tyranny of a police state

2.

a. : a government in which absolute power is vested in a single ruler ; especially : one characteristic of an ancient Greek city-state

b. : the office, authority, and administration of a tyrant

3. : a rigorous condition imposed by some outside agency or force

living under the tyranny of the clock — Dixon Wecter

4. : a tyrannical act

workers who had suffered tyrannies

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.