The gentle or kind exercise of power; leniency, mercy; compassion in judging or punishing.
A pardon, commutation, or similar reduction, removal, or postponement of legal penalties by an executive officer of a state.
A government in which a single ruler (a tyrant) has absolute power; this system of government.
The office or jurisdiction of an absolute ruler.
Extreme severity or rigour.
Absolute power, or its use.
A system of government in which power is exercised on behalf of the ruler or ruling class, without regard to the wishes of the governed.