dictatorship
nounattested in dialogue
- United Kingdom//dɪkˈteɪtə(ɹ)ʃɪp//
- United States//ˈdɪkteɪtəɹʃɪp//
- Australia//ˈdɪktæɪtəʃɪp//
- New Zealand//ˈdəktæɪtəʃəp//
- //ˈdiktetəʃip//
A type of government where absolute sovereignty is allotted to an individual or a small clique.
noun
- 1
A type of government where absolute sovereignty is allotted to an individual or a small clique.
- 2
A government which exercises autocratic rule.
There were no elections during Franco's dictatorship.
His object, he declares, is not to set up a dictatorship but to achieve 'true democracy' by combating the idea of tolerance, on the ground that the vast majority cannot form right judgements when their minds are deformed by democratic sources of information.
- 3
Any household, institution, or other organization that is run under such sovereignty or autocracy.
- 4
Total authority, control, or domination.
It has had a deplorable effect in furnishing pretexts for the stifling of all independent philosophical thought and in establishing the party's dictatorship over science and culture in every sphere.
Etymology
Etymology tree English dictator Proto-Germanic *skapjaną Proto-Germanic *-skapiz Proto-West Germanic *-skapi Old English -sċiepe Middle English -schipe English -ship English dictatorship From dictator + -ship.
Forms
- plural
- dictatorships
dictatorship · A type of government where absolute sovereignty is allotted to an individual or a small clique.
dictionary · A reference work listing words or names from one or more…Dictionary · Nickname for a swot or studious person, or one who uses…didi · A respectful term of address to any familiar older female.