Definition of "dictator" []

• An absolute ruler. (noun)
• A tyrant; a despot. (noun)
• An ancient Roman magistrate appointed temporarily to deal with an immediate crisis or emergency. (noun)
• One who dictates: These initials are those of the dictator of the letter. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "In seasons of great and imminent danger to the commonwealth, it was the custom of the Romans to appoint what they called a dictator, that is, a supreme executive, who was clothed with absolute and unlimited powers; and it devolved on him to save the state from the threatened ruin by the most prompt and energetic action."
• "Less than nine years past the end of Saddam Hussein's brutal reign, the word dictator springs easily to the lips of Iraqis, many of whom question Western-style democracy and readily admit that they believe their country needs a strongman leader."
• "With this in mind, having multiple characters use the word "dictator" to refer to Chavez without any real discussion seems simplistic at best."