δεσπότης
Etym. The latter part -πότης is prob. from same Root as πόσις, and Lat. potis, potior: the syll. δεσ- is uncertain.
I. "a master, lord, the master of the house", Lat. herus, dominus, Aesch., etc.; properly in respect of slaves, so that the address of a slave to his master was ὦ δέσποτ᾽ ἄναξ or ὦναξ δέσποτα Ar.
2. of Oriental rulers, "a despot, absolute ruler", whose subjects are slaves, Hdt., Thuc.; the pl. is used by Poets of single persons, like τύραννοι, Aesch.
3. of the gods, Eur., Xen.
II. generally, "an owner, master, lord", κώμου, Aesch., Soph.