Despotism
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DESPOTISM, government. That abuse of government, where the sovereign power is not divided, but united in the hands of a single man, whatever may be his official title. It is not, properly, a form of government. Toull. Dr. Civ. Fr. tit. prel. n. 32; Rutherf Inst. b. 1, c. 20, Sec. 1. Vide Tyranny; Tyrant.
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States. By John Bouvier. Published 1856.