Word Meanings - TYRANT - Book Publishers vocabulary database

Any one of numerous species of American clamatorial birds belonging to the family Tyrannidæ; -- called also tyrant bird. Note: These birds are noted for their irritability and pugnacity, and for the courage with which they attack rapacious birds

Additional info about word: TYRANT

Any one of numerous species of American clamatorial birds belonging to the family Tyrannidæ; -- called also tyrant bird. Note: These birds are noted for their irritability and pugnacity, and for the courage with which they attack rapacious birds far exceeding them in size and strength. They are mostly plain-colored birds, but often have a bright-colored crown patch. A few species, as the scissorstail, are handsomely colored. The kingbird and pewee are familiar examples. Tyrant flycatcher , any one of numerous species of tyrants which have a flattened bill, toothed at the tip, and resemble the true flycatchers in habits. The Acadian flycatcher and the vermilion flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubineus) are examples. -- Tyrant shrike , any one of numerous species of American tyrants of the genus Tyrannus having a strong toothed bill and resembling the strikes in habits. The kingbird is an example. (more info) , F. tyran, L. tyrannus, Gr. 1. An absolute ruler; a sovereign unrestrained by law or constitution; a usurper of sovereignty. Note: Free governments having superseded the old hereditary sovereignties , all who obtained absolute power in a state were called tyrannoi, tyrants, or rather despots; - - for the term rather regards the irregular way in which the power was gained, whether force or fraud, than the way in which it was exercised, being applied to the mild Pisistratus, but not to the despotic kings of Persia. However, the word soon came to imply reproach, and was then used like our tyrant. Liddell & Scott. 2. Specifically, a monarch, or other ruler or master, who uses power to oppress his subjects; a person who exercises unlawful authority, or lawful authority in an unlawful manner; one who by taxation, injustice, or cruel punishment, or the demand of unreasonable services, imposes burdens and hardships on those under his control, which law and humanity do not authorize, or which the purposes of government do not require; a cruel master; an oppressor. "This false tyrant, this Nero." Chaucer. Love, to a yielding heart, is a king, but to a resisting, is a tyrant. Sir P. Sidney.

Possible synonyms: (Same meaning words of TYRANT)

• Despot
• Tyrant
• autocrat
• Monarch
• King
• sovereign
• despot
• tyrant
• czar

Related words: (words related to TYRANT)

• DESPOTIZE
  To act the despot.
• TYRANT
  Any one of numerous species of American clamatorial birds belonging to the family Tyrannidæ; -- called also tyrant bird. Note: These birds are noted for their irritability and pugnacity, and for the courage with which they attack rapacious birds
• MONARCHIAN
  One of a sect in the early Christian church which rejected the doctrine of the Trinity; -- called also patripassian.
• MONARCHESS
  A female monarch.
• SOVEREIGN
  soverain, suvrain, F. souverain, LL. superanus, fr. L. superus that is above, upper, higher, fr. super above. See Over, Super, and cf. Soprano. The modern spelling is due to a supposed connection with 1. Supreme or highest in power; superior to
• DESPOTIC; DESPOTICAL
  Having the character of, or pertaining to, a despot; absolute in power; possessing and abusing unlimited power; evincing despotism; tyrannical; arbitrary. -- Des*pot"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Des*pot"ic*al*ness, n.
• MONARCHIC; MONARCHICAL
  Of or pertaining to a monarch, or to monarchy. Burke. -- Mo*nar"chic*al*ly, adv.
• MONARCHIAL
  Monarchic. Burke.
• DESPOT
  1. A master; a lord; especially, an absolute or irresponsible ruler or sovereign. Irresponsible power in human hands so naturally leads to it, that cruelty has become associated with despot and tyrant. C. J. Smith. 2. One who rules regardless of
• MONARCH
  A very large red and black butterfly ; -- called also milkweed butterfly. (more info) 1. A sole or supreme ruler; a sovereign; the highest ruler; an emperor, king, queen, prince, or chief. He who reigns Monarch in heaven, ... upheld by old repute.
• DESPOTAT
  The station or government of a despot; also, the domain of a despot. Freeman.
• MONARCHY
  1. A state or government in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of a monarch. 2. A system of government in which the chief ruler is a monarch. In those days he had affected zeal for monarchy. Macaulay. 3. The territory ruled over by
• AUTOCRAT
  1. An absolute sovereign; a monarch who holds and exercises the powers of government by claim of absolute right, not subject to restriction; as, Autocrat of all the Russias . 2. One who rules with undisputed sway in any company or relation; a
• SOVEREIGNIZE
  To exercise supreme authority. Sir T. Herbert.
• MONARCHIZE
  To play the sovereign; to act the monarch. Shak.
• SOVEREIGNLY
  In a sovereign manner; in the highest degree; supremely. Chaucer.
• AUTOCRATIC; AUTOCRATICAL
  Of or pertaining to autocracy or to an autocrat; absolute; holding independent and arbitrary powers of government. -- Au`to*crat"ic*al*ly, adv.
• AUTOCRATORICAL
  Pertaining to an autocrator; absolute. Bp. Pearson.
• MONARCHISM
  The principles of, or preference for, monarchy.
• MONARCHAL
  Pertaining to a monarch; suiting a monarch; sovoreign; regal; imperial. Satan, whom now transcendent glory raised Above his fellows, with monarchal pride. Milton.
• ANTIMONARCHIST
  An enemy to monarchial government.
• ANTIMONARCHIC; ANTIMONARCHICAL
  Opposed to monarchial government. Bp. Benson. Addison.