First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
dictator
noun dic·ta·tor \ˈdik-ˌtā-tər, dik-ˈ\
: a person who rules a country with total authority and often in a cruel or brutal way
Full Definition of DICTATOR
1
a : a person granted absolute emergency power; especially : one appointed by the senate of ancient Rome b : one holding complete autocratic control c : one ruling absolutely and often oppressively
2
: one that dictates
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Origin of DICTATOR
Latin, from dictare
Related to DICTATOR
Other Government and Politics Terms
Rhymes with DICTATOR
aerator, castrator, collator, Chubb Crater, Bay Stater, creator, curator, debater, deflator, dilator, donator, downstater, dumbwaiter, equator, first-rater, glossator, headwaiter, ice-skater, levator, locator, mandator, migrator, narrator, pond skater, pronator, pulsator, red-baiter, relater, spectator, speed skater, tailgater, testator, theater, third-rater, titrator, translator, upstater, vibrator
DICTATOR Defined for Kids
dictator
noun dic·ta·tor \ˈdik-ˌtā-tər\
Definition of DICTATOR for Kids
: a person who rules with total power and often in a cruel manner
— dic·ta·tor·ship \dik-ˈtā-tər-ˌship\ noun
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