Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “despotess” come from?

despotess (English) comes from English despot, from Middle French despote, from Old French despote, from Medieval Latin despota, from Ancient Greek δεσπότης, from Proto-Hellenic *déspotis.

despotess (English): A female despot; The wife of a despot

Definitions

  1. A female despot; The wife of a despot

Ancestry of “despotess”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishdespotA ruler with absolute power; a tyrant; A title...
2Middle Frenchdespote—
3Old Frenchdespote—
4Medieval Latindespota—
5Ancient Greekδεσπότηςmaster, lord; ruler, despot; generally: owner
6Proto-Hellenic*déspotis—
Every word from Proto-Hellenic *déspotis →