Part 3011

<blockquote>Ethelbert . . . went peaceably to King Offa for <b>desponsage</b> of Athilrid, his daughter. <i>Foxe.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Desponsate</h1> <Xpage=399>

<hw>De*spon"sate</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>desponsatus</ets>, p. p. of <ets>desponsare</ets>, intens. of <ets>despondere</ets> to betroth. See <er>Despond</er>.]</ety> <def>To betroth.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Johnson.</i>

<h1>Desponsation</h1> <Xpage=399>

<hw>Des`pon*sa"tion</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>desponsatio</ets>: cf. OF. <ets>desponsation</ets>.]</ety> <def>A betrothing; betrothal.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>For all this <b>desponsation</b> of her . . . she had not set one step toward the consummation of her marriage. <i>Jer. Taylor.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Desponsory</h1> <Xpage=399>

<hw>De*spon"so*ry</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt>; <plu>pl. <plw>Desponsories</plw> <tt>(<?/)</tt>. <def>A written pledge of marriage.</def>

<i>Clarendon.</i>

<h1>Desport</h1> <Xpage=399>

<hw>De*sport"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t. & i.</tt> <def>See <er>Disport</er>.</def>

<h1>Despot</h1> <Xpage=399>

<hw>Des"pot</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[F. <ets>despote</ets>, LL. <ets>despotus</ets>, fr. Gr. <?/ master, lord, the second part of which is akin to <?/ husband, and L. <ets>potens</ets>. See <er>Potent</er>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>A master; a lord; especially, an absolute or irresponsible ruler or sovereign.</def>

<blockquote>Irresponsible power in human hands so naturally leads to it, that cruelty has become associated with <b>despot</b> and tyrant. <i>C. J. Smith.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>One who rules regardless of a constitution or laws; a tyrant.</def>

<h1>Despotat</h1> <Xpage=399>

<hw>Des"po*tat</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Cf. F. <ets>despotat</ets>.]</ety> <def>The station or government of a despot; also, the domain of a despot.</def>

<i>Freeman.</i>

<h1>Despotic, Despotical</h1> <Xpage=399>

<hw><hw>Des*pot"ic</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <hw>Des*pot"ic*al</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>,<hw> <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[Gr. <?/: cf. F. <ets>despotique</ets>.]</ety> <def>Having the character of, or pertaining to, a despot; absolute in power; possessing and abusing unlimited power; evincing despotism; tyrannical; arbitrary.</def> -- <wordforms><wf>Des*pot"ic*al*ly</wf>, <tt>adv.</tt> -- <wf>Des*pot"ic*al*ness</wf>, <tt>n.</tt></wordforms>

<h1>Despotism</h1> <Xpage=399>

<hw>Des"po*tism</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Cf. F. <ets>despotisme</ets>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>The power, spirit, or principles of a despot; absolute control over others; tyrannical sway; tyranny.</def> "The <i>despotism</i> of vice."

<i>Byron.</i>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A government which is directed by a despot; a despotic monarchy; absolutism; autocracy.</def>

<blockquote><b>Despotism</b> . . . is the only form of government which may with safety to itself neglect the education of its infant poor. <i>Bp. Horsley.</i></blockquote>