The spelling of the word "tyranny" in English is not necessarily intuitive, as it contains a few sounds that do not have straightforward correspondences. The first syllable, "tyr-", is pronounced with an initial "t" sound followed by a long "i" vowel sound, represented phonetically as /tɪ/. The second syllable, "-an-", contains a short "a" vowel sound followed by an "n" consonant sound, represented as /æn/. The final syllable, "-ny", contains a short "i" vowel sound followed by a "n" and "y" consonant sound, represented as /ɪni/. Together, the IPA transcription for "tyranny" is /ˈtɪrəni/.
Tyranny is a noun that refers to the exercise of absolute power, control, or authority by an individual or group over others, often involving the oppressive and cruel imposition of rules or laws. It signifies the domination of one person or a small ruling elite that exercises their power without any regard for the rights, freedom, or well-being of those they govern.
In a political context, tyranny often manifests as an authoritarian and dictatorial form of governance, where the ruler or rulers hold unchecked power and are not held accountable to the people they govern. This form of tyranny typically comes at the expense of civil liberties, human rights, and democratic principles, as the ruling elite impose their will through fear, force, or suppression of dissent.
Tyranny can also extend beyond the realms of politics and government, existing within other areas such as personal relationships or social dynamics. In these contexts, tyranny involves the domination and control exerted by one person over others, leading to a loss of freedom, personal autonomy, and the ability to make decisions or voice opinions without fear of retaliation or retribution.
Overall, tyranny is a term that encompasses the abuse and misuse of power, resulting in the oppression and subjugation of others. It stands in stark opposition to the principles of freedom, justice, equality, and democracy.
The government or acts of a tyrant; an arbitrary or despotic exercise of power; cruelty; unjust severity.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word tyranny is derived from the Old French term tirannie, which entered the English language around the 14th century. Further back, it can be traced to the Latin word tyrannia and the Greek word tyrannia, both of which refer to the absolute rule or authority of a tyrant. The Greek term is derived from the word tyrannos, meaning ruler or absolute ruler.