n. [ See Tyrant. ] A tyrant. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Lordly love is such a tyran fell. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A female tyrant. [ Obs. ] “That proud tyranness.” Spenser. Akenside. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ L. tyrannicus, Gr. &unr_;: cf. F. tyrannique. See Tyrant. ] Of or pertaining to a tyrant; suiting a tyrant; unjustly severe in government; absolute; imperious; despotic; cruel; arbitrary; as, a tyrannical prince; a tyrannical master; tyrannical government. “A power tyrannical.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Our sects a more tyrannic power assume. Roscommon. [ 1913 Webster ]

The oppressor ruled tyrannic where he durst. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Ty*ran"nic*al*ly, adv. -- Ty*ran"nic*al*ness, . [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to tyrannicide, or the murder of a tyrant. Booth. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. tyrannicidium the killing of a tyrant, tyrannicida the killer of a tyrant; tyrannus a tyrant + caedere to kill: cf. F. tyrannicide. ] 1. The act of killing a tyrant. Hume. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who kills a tyrant. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Like a tyrant; tyrannical. [ Obs. ] “The proud tyrannish Roman.” Gower. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To subject to arbitrary, oppressive, or tyrannical treatment; to oppress. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Tyrannized p. pr. & vb. n. Tyrannizing ] [ Cf. F. tyranniser, Gr. tyranni`zein to take the part of tyrants. ] To act the tyrant; to exercise arbitrary power; to rule with unjust and oppressive severity; to exercise power over others not permitted by law or required by justice, or with a severity not necessary to the ends of justice and government; as, a prince will often tyrannize over his subjects; masters sometimes tyrannize over their servants or apprentices. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Tyrannical; arbitrary; unjustly severe; despotic. Sir P. Sidney. -- Tyr"an*nous*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. [ OE. tirannye, OF. tirannie, F. tyrannie; cf. It. tirannia; Gr. tyranni`a, tyranni`s, L. tyrannis. See Tyrant. ] 1. The government or authority of a tyrant; a country governed by an absolute ruler; hence, arbitrary or despotic exercise of power; exercise of power over subjects and others with a rigor not authorized by law or justice, or not requisite for the purposes of government. [ 1913 Webster ]

“Sir, ” would he [ Seneca ] say, “an emperor mote need
Be virtuous and hate tyranny.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Cruel government or discipline; as, the tyranny of a schoolmaster. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Severity; rigor; inclemency. [ 1913 Webster ]

The tyranny of the open night's too rough
For nature to endure. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]