Tyrant

(tī'rant.) [From Gr. tyrannos, literally, a master.] One who exercises arbitrary or exce ive power. A monarch or other ruler who by injustice or cruel punishment, or the demand of unreasonable services, imposes burdens and hardships on those under his control, which law does not authorize, and which are repugnant to the dictates of humanity. The word T., in its original signification, merely meant an absolute ruler; but the frequent abuse of the office led to a different application of the word. [s. 916]