despot 
e 3. A tyrant; an oppressor; one who 
or a body which exercises lawful power tyran- 
nically or oppressively, as either sovereign or 
master. 
A despot is t In- itiiHvMual ur clans In whose favour ami 
for whose benefit such n government Is carried on. A des- 
pot may thus im-ludo any number o( persons from unity 
upward from a monarch to a mob. Chambers'* Encyc. 
S. An honorary title of the Byzantine emperors, 
afterward of members of their families, and then 
conferred as a title of office on vassal rulers and 
governors : as, the despots of Kpirus. 
I'alcologus was both by the patriarke anil the young em- 
peror honored with the title of the desjnt, another step 
Into the empire. Knolles, Uist. Turks, p. 112 (Ord MS.). 
= 8vn. Autocrat, dictator. 
despotat (des'pot-at), n. [< P. despotat; < des- 
pot + -ate 3 .] Government by a despot; the 
territory governed by a despot. See despot, 3. 
[Bare.] 
The absence of all feudal organization . . . gave the da- 
potat of Kpirus a Byzantine type. 
t'inlay, Medieval Greece and Treblzond, vl. 1. 
despotico (ef. D. G. despotixch = Dan. Sw. despo- 
tisk'), < Gr. 6Vo-7roT<Kof, of a lord or despot, < <5e- 
(7Tr<irw. a lord, despot: see desjiot.] Pertaining 
to ov of the nature of a despot or despotism ; 
unlimited; arbitrary; tyrannical: as, ^despotic 
ruler; despotic government or power; a despotic 
will. 
We may see In a neighbouring government the 111 conse- 
quences of having a dfspotick prince. Addison. 
In a barbarous age the Imagination exercises a despotic 
power. Macaulay, Dryden. 
Despotic monarchy. SeeiMo>wrcA.v.=Syn. Autocratic, 
Imperious, dictatorial. 
despotically (rtes-pot'i-kal-i), adv. In a despot- 
ic manner; with unlimited power; arbitrarily. 
Alike In Hindu and in Russian village-communities we 
find the group of habitations, each despotically ruled by a 
pater-familias. J. Fiftke, Amer. I'ol. Ideas, p. 41. 
despqticalness (des-ppt'i-kal-nes), n. The 
quality of being despotic ; absolute or arbitrary 
authority. 
despoticon (des-pot'i-kon), n. [< Gr. 6eoiroTtit6v 
(sc. aufta, body), the Lord's body (the name be- 
ing given by specialization to the largest por- 
tion of the host), neut. of dWTromof, of the Lord, 
of a lord or despot : see despotic.] In the Coptic 
Ch., the central part of the corban or oblate, 
occupying the intersection of the upright and 
transverse pieces of the cross marked upon it. 
The dospoticon itself is divided by a cross Into four divi- 
sions, the whole oblate containing sixteen. Also isbodicon 
and ftpoudicon. 
The Priest . . . dips the despoticon in the chalice. 
J. M. Neale, Eastern Church, I. 521. 
despotism (des'pot-izm), . [= P. despotisms 
= Sp. Pg. despotismo = It. despotismo = D. di'S- 
jiotic, despotismus = G. despotismus = Dan. des- 
potisms = Sw. despotism ; as despot + -ism.] 1. 
Absolute power; authority unlimited and un- 
controlled by constitutional restrictions, and 
depending only on the will of the prince : as, 
the despotism of Louis XIV. 
We are ready to wonder that the best gifts are the most 
sparingly bestowed, and rashly to conclude that deepoti&n 
Is the decree of heaven, because by far the largest part of 
the world lies bound in its fetters. Amen, Works, II. 258. 
(Ciesar Borgia] tolerated within the sphere of his Iron 
despotism no plunderer or oppressor but himself. 
llacaulay, Machlavclll. 
2. An arbitrary government ; the rule of a des- 
pot; absolutism; autocracy. 
Kvrn the mighty Roman Republic, . . . after attaining 
the highest point of power, passed, seemingly iiudi -r the 
operation of irresistible causes, into a military despotism. 
Calhouit, Works, I. 85. 
The Roman government, at least from the time of Dio- 
cletian and Constantine, was a pure and absolute despot- 
ism. Stilli, Stud. Med. Hist., p. 33. 
3. Figuratively, absolute power or controlling 
influence. 
Such Is the despotism of the imagination over unculti- 
vated miiuls. Macanlait. 
=Syn. 1. Di-spotixm, Tyranny, Autocracy, Absolutism. 
All these words imply absolute power. Tyranny Is the 
abuse of absolute power, legal or usurped, and implies 
oppression. Dexjmtism, in its earlier and still frequent 
meaning, docs not necessarily imply either regard or disre- 
gard for the welfare of the subject ; but there is also a ten- 
dency to give it essentially the same meaning as ti/rannu. 
using almiliitiiin or autocracy where au unfavorable mean- 
ing is not intended. .See oppression. 
The cruelty and inhumanity which flourished In the 
[Roman] republic, professing freedom, found a natural 
home under the emperors the high-priests of despotism. 
Sumner, Orations, I. 215. 
Is there any tyranny anywhere equal t that which a 
savage ruin exercises upon his subjects, with abject sub- 
mission OH their part, in enforcing the sacred "customs" 
of the tribe '! Miunlsley, Body and Will, p. 176. 
1667 
As a champion of Absolutism, and of the Church, Charles 
Felix was naturally attracted towards Austria. 
E. Dicey, Victor Emmanuel, v. 
despotist (dos'pot-ist), n. [< despot + -ist.] 
One who supports or who is in favor of despot- 
ism. [Bare.J 
I must become as thorough a despotist and Imperialist 
as Stratford himself. Kinytley, Life, II. 06. 
despotize (des'ppt-iz), r. . ; pret. and pp. des- 
jinli-f'il, ppr. despotizing. [= F. despotiser ; as 
despot + -ize.] To be a despot ; act the part 
of a despot ; be despotic. 
despotocracy (des-po-tok'ra-si), n. [< Gr. 
<5ro-jror>7f, despot, + -Kparia, {' Kpartlv, govern: 
see -cracy.] Government by a despot; des- 
potism as a principle of government. [Bare.] 
Despotocracy, the worst institution of the middle ages, 
the leprosy of society, came over the water; the slave 
survived the priest, the noble the king. 
Theodore Parker, Works, V. 262. 
despumate (de-spu'mat or des'pu-mat), v. ; 
pret. and pp. 'despumated, ppr. despumating. 
[< L. despumatus, pp. of despumare (> F. de- 
spumer = Sp. despumar = It. dispumare), skim 
off, deposit a frothy matter, < de, off, H- spu- 
mare, foam, < spuma, foam: see spume.] I. 
intrans. To throw off impurities; froth; form 
froth or scum; clarify. [Bare.] 
That discharge is a benefit to the constitution, and will 
help It the sooner and faster to despumate and purify, and 
so to get into perfect good health. 
O. Cheyne, English Malady, p. 304. 
H. trans. To throw off in froth. [Bare.] 
They were thrown off and desjntmated upon the larger 
emunctory and open glands. 
0. Cheyne., English Malady, p. 300. 
despumation (des-pu-ma'shon), n. [= F. des- 
pumation = Sp. despumacion, < LL. despttma- 
tio(n-), < L. dexpumare, skim off: see despumate.] 
The rising of excrementitious matter to the 
surface of a liquor in the form of froth or scum ; 
a scumming. 
desquamate (des-kwa'mat), r. '. ; pret. and pp. 
desquamated, ppr. desquamating. [< L. desqua- 
matus, pp. of desquamare (> F. desquamer), scale 
off, < de, off, + squama, scale.] To scale off; 
peel off; exfoliate; be shed, cast, or molted 
in the form of scales or flakes. 
The cuticle now begins to desquamate. 
S. I'lumbe, Diseases of the Skin. 
desquamation (des-kwa-ma'shon), n. [= F. 
desquamation; as desquamate +"-ion.] The pro- 
cess of desquamating; a scaling or exfoliation, 
as of skin or bone; especially, separation of 
the epidermis in scales or patches : a common 
result of certain diseases, as scarlatina. 
The separation of the cuticle in small branny fragment) 
in one word, dewtiatnation. 
Sir T. Watson, Lectures on Physic, xl. 
desquamative (des-kwam'a-tiv), a. [< desqua- 
mate + -ice.] Relating to, consisting in, or par- 
taking of the character of desquamation. De- 
squamative nephritis, a nephritis In which the epithe- 
lium of the urinary tubules and Malpighian bodies is shed 
to a greater or less extent. 
desquamatory (des-kwam'a-to-ri), a. and n. [< 
desquamate + -ory.] I. a. 'Relating to desqua- 
mation; desquamative. 
II. n. PI. desquamatories (-riz). In surg., a 
kind of trepan formerly used for removing the 
lamina) of exfoliated bones. 
dess (des), n. [E. dial, and Sc., also doss; < 
Icel. des, a heap, mound (in comp. hey-des, a 
hay-stack).] 1. A portion cut from a hay- 
stack with a hay-knife for immediate use. 2. 
The portion of a sheaf or lot of grain or of a 
stack of hay which is left when a part is re- 
moved for use. 
dess (des), v. t. [E. dial, and Sc., < dess, n.] 1. 
To lay close together; pile in order. 2. To cut 
(a section of hay) from a stack. Halliicell. 
desset, . [ME. des, dese, deis, a dais : see dais.] 
An obsolete form 
destination 
The supper, with a handsome dessert, would do honour 
tothetiuilclhall. 
Quoted 111 Pint Year uf a Ktkru Kriyn, p. 109. 
Dessert-service, the <1N - plates, etc., used in servinK 
. 
dessert-spoon (de-zert'spOn), . A spoon inter- 
mediate in size between a table-spoon and a 
tea-spoon, used for eating dessert. 
dessiatine, dessyatine (des'ya-tin), . [< Buss. 
ilfsi/titina, a measure of land (see def.), lit. a 
tenth, < desyati = E. ten, q. v.] A Russian hind 
measure equal to 2.702 English acres. Also 
written desiatine, dessatine, and (Latinized) 
detsatina, and, improperly, deciatiiie. 
The right of personal vote Iwlongs to those who posseu 
100 male serfs, or 300 drtsiatints of ground. Brougham. 
say, 
The calculation Is made per Jrstyatine, or, as we should 
y, per acre. D. M. Wallace, Russia, p. 518. 
And next to her sate goodly Shamefastnesse, 
Ne ever durst her eyes from ground upreare, 
>'e ever once did looke up from her dctsc. 
Spenter, t. Q., IV. x. 50. 
dessert (de-zerf or -serf), n. [Sometimes spell- 
ed desert; < OF. dessert, F. dessert, dessert, < 
desservir, clear the table, < des-, de-, away, + 
servir, serve: see serve.] A service of fruits 
and sweetmeats at the close of a repast; the 
last course at table : in the United States often 
used to include pies, puddings, and other sweet 
dishes. 
At your dessert bright pewter comes too late, 
When your ttrst course was well serv'd up in plate. 
W. King, Art of Cookery. 
It is singular, however, that where the extent of pro- 
ductive forest in Russia Is smaller, the yield |>er deisiaiine 
Is greater. Xature, XXX. 396. 
dessus (de-sli'), n. [F. dessus, soprano, lit. up- 
per part, noun use of desalts, over, upon, < de, 
from, + sus, over, upon, < L. susunt, occasional 
contr. of sursum, above, up, upward, coutr. of 
"subvorsum, < sub, below, + vorsum, orig. neut. 
pp. of vertere, turn ; cf. sub-ver-t.] The French 
name for soprano, formerly used also by Eng- 
lish musicians. 
destancet, An obsolete form of distance. 
destemper (des-tem'per), v. and n. See distem- 
per%. 
destint, . [< OF. destine, t., destiny, end, 
destin, m., F. destin (= Pr. desti = Sp. Pg. It. 
destino), destination, intention, < destiner, des- 
tine: see destine. Cf. destiny.] Destiny: as, 
"the destin's adamantine band," Alarston. 
destinablet (des'ti-na-bl), a. [ME., < OF. desti- 
nable, < destiner, destine: see destine and -able.] 
Determinable by fate or destiny ; fated. 
By the order of necessite destynalile. 
Chaucer, Boethius, iv. prose 6. 
destinablyt (des'ti-na-bli), adr. In a destinable 
manner. Chaucer. 
destinalt (des'ti-nal), a. [ME., < destine + -al.] 
Pertaining to destiny ; determined by destiny ; 
fated. 
But I axe ylf ther lie any llberte of fre wil, In this ordre 
of causes, that clyven thus toxidere In hymself, or elles 
I wolde if that the destynal clieyne constreynitli the mov- 
ynges of the corages of men. Chaucer, Boethius, v. prose 2. 
destinatet (des'ti-nat), r. t. [< L. destinatits, pp. 
of dcstinare, destine: see destine.] To design 
or appoint; destine. 
A destructive God, to create our souls, and destinate 
them to eternal damnation. 
Burton, Anat. of Mel., p. 652. 
Decking their houses witli branches of cypresse : a tree 
destinated to the dead. Sandys, Travalles, p. 65. 
Birds are destinated to fly among the branches of trees 
and bushes. Kay, Works of Creation. 
destinatet (des'ti-nat), a. [< L. destinatus, pp. : 
see the verb.] Appointed ; destined ; deter- 
mined. 
Ye are destinate to another dwelling than here on earth. 
J. Bradford, Letters ( Parker Soc., 1853), II. 223. 
destination (des-ti-na'shon), . [< OP. desti- 
nation, destinacion, F. destination = Pr. desti- 
nacio = Sp. destinacion = Pg. destinac.Ho = It. 
destinazione, (. L. destinatio(n-), < destinare, pp. 
destinatus, destine: see destine.] 1. The act of 
destining or appointing; appointment; desig- 
nation. 
Designed by nature . . . for the propagation of the spe- 
cies: which deftiiuitian . . . appears to have been pre- 
ordained by the author of mankind for the continuation 
of It. Boyle, Works, V. 423. 
2. The purpose for which anything is intended 
or appointed ; end or ultimate design ; prede- 
termined object or use: as, every animal is 
fitted for its destination. 
The passages through which spirits are conveyed to the 
members, being almost Infinite, and each of them drawn 
through so many meanders, it Is wonderful that they 
should perform their regular destinations without losing 
their way. Glanrillt, Seep. Sci. 
3. The place to which a thing is appointed or 
directed; the predetermined end of a journey. 
voyage, or course of transmission ; goal : as, the 
ship's destination was unknown ; the destination 
of a letter or package. 4. In Scots /air, a term. 
generally speaking, applied to the series of heirs 
called to the succession of heritable or mova- 
ble property, by the provision of the law or title, 
or by the will of the proprietor : but usually ap- 
plied in a more limited sense to a nomination 
of successors in a certain order, regulated by 
the will of the proprietor. =syn. 3. Purpcwe, inten- 
tion, lot, fate. 3. Goal, harbor, haven. 
