Where does “despot” come from?

Despot comes from Middle French despote, from Old French despote, from Medieval Latin despota, from Ancient Greek δεσπότης, meaning master of a household, from Proto-Indo-European déms pótis, literally "master of the house."

despot (English): A ruler with absolute power; a tyrant; A title...

Definitions

  1. A ruler with absolute power; a tyrant; A title...

Ancestry of “despot”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Frenchdespote—
2Old Frenchdespote—
3Medieval Latindespota—
4Ancient Greekδεσπότηςmaster, lord; ruler, despot; generally: owner
5Proto-Hellenic*déspotis—

Words derived from “despot”

Every word from Proto-Hellenic *déspotis →Every word from Ancient Greek δεσπότης →Every word from Medieval Latin despota →