TYRANT Copy link • TYRANTIn the ancient sense, an absolute ruler, especially one who had made himself master of a state hitherto free, not necessarily including the idea of cruelty or injustice, tyrannus (Vid: Bremi ad Nep., Milt., 8, 3). An absolute ruler (in the Roman sense), dominus. (The words are found in this connection and order.) dominus et tyrannus: a cruel tyrant, tyrannus gravis, crudelis (Cic.), saevus, violentus (Liv.). In a wider sense, a cruel, domineering person, homo superbus, crudelis, saevus. To play the tyrant, in suos saevire: suos crudeliter, superbe tractare.