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DictionaryRoot: dictare
Latin

dictare

say repeatedly, dictate, or prescribe

Forms

  • dictare
  • dictat- — The form used for completed action.

Origin

A repeated-action formation from Latin dicere, “say.”

Note

Repeated or formal saying can become prescribing what another person must write or do.

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noun

dictator

DIK-tay-ter/ˈdɪkteɪtər/

A ruler or other person who exercises absolute, often oppressive authority.

The dictator commands an officer while a restrained civilian stands below.

A fictional authoritarian ruler presides above a restrained civilian while a uniformed officer carries out her commanding gesture.
Etymology
dictatLatinsay repeatedly, dictate, or prescribe
+orLatina person or thing that acts

The agent ending makes this someone who prescribes or directs. Originally a Roman magistrate temporarily granted absolute authority, a dictator later meant an absolute ruler more generally.

In context

History with Cy30:54
the governments of a great number of cities states were seized illegally or overthrown by a tyrannos or Tyrant who ruled as an absolute ruler or dictator
An Introduction to Archaic Greece (c. 750-500 BC)

More examples

  • The dictator suppressed dissent.
  • Several dictators ruled in succession.
  • She acted like a dictator in every meeting.

Forms

dictator · dictators

dictatorship noun — government under an absolute ruler

Similar words

autocrat
Emphasizes unrestricted rule by one person.
tyrant
Emphasizes cruelty or oppressive use of power.