好词典

despot

UK //ˈdespɒt//US //ˈdespɑːt//

词源

源自希腊语 'despotēs',意为'主人'或'统治者',后通过拉丁语传入英语。

noun

❶ 指独裁者或暴君,通常指滥用权力、残酷统治人民的统治者,强调其专制和不容异议的特点。

“The country was ruled by a cruel despot for decades.”

(这个国家被一个残酷的独裁者统治了几十年。)

“History is full of examples of despots who oppressed their people.”

(历史上充满了压迫人民的暴君的例子。)

同义词:tyrant, dictator, autocrat

常见短语

benevolent despot — 指表面上仁慈但实际上仍掌握绝对权力的统治者,通常用于描述某些开明但专制的领导者。

“Some historians argue that the king was a benevolent despot who modernized the country.”

(一些历史学家认为这位国王是一个仁慈的独裁者,他推动了国家的现代化。)