I. ˈtīrənt noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English tyran, tirant, tirand, from Old French tyran, tyrant, from Latin tyrannus, from Greek tyrannos
1.
a. : an absolute ruler unrestrained by law or constitution ; often : a usurper of sovereignty
b. obsolete : a ruling personage (as a prince or governor)
c. : a ruler who exercises absolute power oppressively or brutally : despot
2.
a. : a person in a position of control who exercises unlawful or improper authority or lawful or proper authority in an arbitrary or oppressive manner : one who by unfair or unreasonable demands or rigorous exploitation imposes burdens and hardships on those under his control
our Latin teacher was a bitter tyrant
b. : something that imposes burdens and hardships like a human tyrant
that tyrant time
3. : tyrant flycatcher
II. intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to act the tyrant : tyrannize