Dictator
/ˈdɪk.teɪ.tər/noun
A ruler with absolute power, or a person who tells others what to do.
Did you know?In ancient Rome, a dictator was a lawful office created for crises, and the title comes from the same root as “dictionary” and “diction”: the power to speak and declare became political authority.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*deik-
“to show, point out, indicate”
Latin
Latin
dicere
“to say, speak, declare”
Classical Latin
Latin
dictātor
“one who says/declares; a Roman magistrate appointed to command in emergencies”
Middle French
Old French
dictateur
“dictator, ruler with absolute authority”
Late Middle English
English
dictatour
“one who dictates or commands; later, an absolute ruler”
Modern English
English
dictator
“a ruler with absolute power”
Explore more surprising origins