Desponsation
(Des`pon*sa"tion) n. [L. desponsatio: cf. OF. desponsation.] A betrothing; betrothal.
[Obs.]
For all this desponsation of her . . . she had not set one step toward the consummation of her marriage.
Jer. Taylor. Desponsory
(De*spon"so*ry) n.; pl. Desponsories A written pledge of marriage. Clarendon.
Desport
(De*sport") v. t. & i. See Disport.
Despot
(Des"pot) n. [F. despote, LL. despotus, fr. Gr. despo`ths master, lord, the second part of
which is akin to po`sis husband, and L. potens. See Potent.]
1. A master; a lord; especially, an absolute or irresponsible ruler or sovereign.
Irresponsible power in human hands so naturally leads to it, that cruelty has become associated with
despot and tyrant.
C. J. Smith. 2. One who rules regardless of a constitution or laws; a tyrant.
Despotat
(Des"po*tat) n. [Cf. F. despotat.] The station or government of a despot; also, the domain of
a despot. Freeman.
Despotic
(Des*pot"ic Des*pot"ic*al) a. despotique.]—> Having the character of, or pertaining to, a despot; absolute
in power; possessing and abusing unlimited power; evincing despotism; tyrannical; arbitrary. — Des*pot"ic*al*ly,
adv. — Des*pot"ic*al*ness, n.
Despotism
(Des"po*tism) n. [Cf. F. despotisme.]
1. The power, spirit, or principles of a despot; absolute control over others; tyrannical sway; tyranny. "The
despotism of vice." Byron.
2. A government which is directed by a despot; a despotic monarchy; absolutism; autocracy.
Despotism . . . is the only form of government which may with safety to itself neglect the education of
its infant poor.
Bp. Horsley. Despotist
(Des"po*tist), n. A supporter of despotism. [R.]
Despotize
(Des"po*tize) v. t. To act the despot.
Despread
(De*spread") v. t. & i. See Dispread.
Despumate
(Des"pu*mate) v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Despumated ; p. pr. & vb. n. Despumating ] [L.
despumatus, p. p. of despumare to despume; de- + spumare to foam, froth, spuma froth, scum.] To
throw off impurities in spume; to work off in foam or scum; to foam.
Despumation
(Des`pu*ma"tion) n. [L. despumatio: cf. F. despumation.] The act of throwing up froth
or scum; separation of the scum or impurities from liquids; scumming; clarification.
Despume
(De*spume") v. t. [Cf. F. despumer. See Despumate.] To free from spume or scum. [Obs.]
If honey be despumed.
Holland. Desquamate
(Des"qua*mate) v. i. [L. desquamatus, p. p. of desquamare to scale off; de- + squama
scale.] (Med.) To peel off in the form of scales; to scale off, as the skin in certain diseases.
