Main Entry: tyr·an·ny

Pronunciation: \ˈtir-ə-nē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural tyr·an·nies

Etymology: Middle English tyrannie, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin tyrannia, from Latin tyrannus tyrant

Date: 14th century

1 : oppressive power <every form of tyranny over the mind of man — Thomas Jefferson>; especially : oppressive power exerted by government <the tyranny of a police state>
2 a : a government in which absolute power is vested in a single ruler; especially : one characteristic of an ancient Greek city-state b : the office, authority, and administration of a tyrant
3 : a rigorous condition imposed by some outside agency or force <living under the tyranny of the clock — Dixon Wecter>
4 : a tyrannical act <workers who had suffered tyrannies>