τύραννος τύραννος (ῠ), ὁ, an absolute sovereign, unlimited by law or constitution, Hdt., Aesch., etc.: not applied to old hereditary sovereignties (βασιλεῖαι) such as those of Hom. or of Sparta; for the term rather regards the irregular way in which the power was gained, than the way in which it was exercised, being applied to the mild Pisistratus, but not to the despotic kings of Persia. However, the word soon came to imply reproach, like our tyrant, Plat., etc. in a wider sense, the tyrantʼs son, or any member of his family, Soph.:—so, ἡ τύραννος was both the queen herself or a princess, Eur. τύραννος, ον, as adj. kingly, royal, Trag. imperious, despotic, Thuc.; τύραννα δρᾶν Soph. τύραννος is prob. from same Root as κύριος, κοίρανος.