The Collaborative International Dictionary
Despotic \Des*pot"ic\, Despotical \Des*pot"ic*al\, a. [Gr. despotiko`s: cf. F. despotique.] Having the character of, or pertaining to, a despot; absolute in power; possessing and abusing unlimited power; evincing despotism; tyrannical; arbitrary. -- Des*pot"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Des*pot"ic*al*ness, n.
Wiktionary
a. despotic.
WordNet
adj. belonging to or having the characteristics of a despot [syn: despotic]
Usage examples of "despotical".
Thirdly, despotical power is an absolute, arbitrary power one man has over another, to take away his life whenever he pleases.
And thus captives, taken in a just and lawful war, and such only, are subject to a despotical power, which, as it arises not from compact, so neither is it capable of any, but is the state of war continued.
And if he be once allowed to be master of his own life, the despotical, arbitrary power of his master ceases.
And forfeiture gives the third — despotical power to lords for their own benefit over those who are stripped of all property.
He that shall consider the distinct rise and extent, and the different ends of these several powers, will plainly see that paternal power comes as far short of that of the magistrate as despotical exceeds it.
The short of the case in conquest, is this: The conqueror, if he have a just cause, has a despotical right over the persons of all that actually aided and concurred in the war against him, and a right to make up his damage and cost out of their labour and estates, so he injure not the right of any other.
Thirdly, Despotical power is an absolute, arbitrary power one man has over another, to take away his life, whenever he pleases.
And thus captives, taken in a just and lawful war, and such only, are subject to a despotical power, which, as it arises not from compact, so neither is it capable of any, but is the state of war continued: for what compact can be made with a man that is not master of his own life?
And forfeiture gives the third despotical power to lords for their own benefit, over those who are stripped of all property.
He, that shall consider the distinct rise and extent, and the different ends of these several powers, will plainly see, that paternal power comes as far short of that of the magistrate, as despotical exceeds it.
Thirdly, The power a conqueror gets over those he overcomes in a just war, is perfectly despotical: he has an absolute power over the lives of those, who, by putting themselves in a state of war, have forfeited them.
The short of the case in conquest is this: the conqueror, if he have a just cause, has a despotical right over the persons of all, that actually aided, and concurred in the war against him, and a right to make up his damage and cost out of their labour and estates, so he injure not the right of any other.
They have prevented it from being drifted into the theocracies and despotical states of old.