Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Despot

Despot , noun

[French despote, Late Latin despotus, from Greek despo`ths master, lord, the second part of which is akin to po`sis husband, and Latin potens. See Potent.]

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 a constitution or laws; a tyrant.