δεσπότης

A. δεσπότεα Hdt. 1.91, al., Luc. Syr.D. 25:—master, lord, prop. the master of the house, δόμων A. Eu. 60, etc.; ὄμμα γὰρ δόμων νομίζω δεσπότου παρουσίαν Id. Pers. 169: pl., of a family, Id. Ag. 32, Ch. 53, 82(lyr.); in respect of slaves, Pl. Prm. 133d; δοῦλοι καὶ δ. οὐκ ἄν ποτε γένοιντο φίλοι Id. Lg. 757a, etc.; δ. καὶ δοῦλος Arist. Pol. 1253b6, cf. 1278b35; ὦ δέσποτ’ ἄναξ Ar. Pax 90 (anap.); ὦναξ δέσποτα ib.389, Fr. 598; δέσποτ’ ἄναξ Men. 312.5.

2. despot, absolute ruler, Hdt. 3.89, Th. 6.77; τύραννος καὶ δ. Pl. Lg. 859a; of the Roman Emperors, Ph. 2.568, D.C. 55.12, Hdn. 1.6.4; γᾶς καὶ θαλάσσας δ. IG 12(2).216 (Mytilene).

3. of the gods, S. Fr. 535, E. Hipp. 88, Ar. V. 875, X. An. 3.2.13.

4. dominant planet, Vett. Val.5.16.

II. generally, master, lord, owner, κώμου, ναῶν, Pi. O. 6.18, P. 4.207; μαντευμάτων A. Th. 27; τῶν Ἡρακλείων ὅπλων S. Ph. 262; ἑπτὰ δεσποτῶν, of the seven Chiefs against Thebes, E. Supp. 636; τοῦ ὄρτυγος Poll. 9.108.—Not in Hom. (for metrical reasons), though he uses δέσποινα in Od. (Prob. for δεμσποτ‐ 'lord of the house', cf. δόμος.)