Webster's English Dictionary

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tyranny

tyr.an.ny \'tir-*-ne-\ n [ME tyrannie, fr. MF, fr. ML tyrannia, fr. L 
   tyrannus tyrant] 1a: a government in which absolute power is vested in a 
   single ruler; es p : one characteristic of an ancient Greek city-state 1b: 
   the office, authority, and administration of such a ruler  2: arbitrary and 
   despotic government; esp : rigorous, cruel, and op pressive government 3: a 
   severe condition or effect : RIGOR  4: a tyrannical act