/ tɪˈrænɪkl; NAmE / (also formal tyr·an·nous / ˈtɪrənəs; NAmE /) adjective
using power or authority over people in an unfair and cruel way
SYN autocratic , dictatorial
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent.: from Old French tyrannique , via Latin from Greek turannikos , from turannos .