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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
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Tyran(d, Tirran(t, Teran(d, n. Also: tyrane, -ann(e, -aine, -ande, -awnd, -a(u)nt, tiran(e, -a(u)nt, tirrane, -and, tyrran(e, -and, -ant, terane, -ande, teir(r)and. [ME and e.m.E. tyraun (c1290), tirant (1297; v.rr. tyraund, terant), tirand (Cursor M.), tyraunt, tiraunt (both Rolle), teraunt (c1440), tyrant (Caxton), tyranne (1542), OF tyrant, tiran, MF tyran.]There is some ambiguity or overlap between the senses.

1. a. One who has no lawful title to rule; a usurper who has achieved power by force. b. A ruler who governs by force or oppression, without regard to law, a despot. Also transf.Also used as part of a title and, as the tiran, the tyranne of Ingland, applied specifically to Edward I of England.a., b. (1) a1400 Leg. S. ii 647.
Nero, that tyran kene 1456 Hay I 169/8.
Alexander the conquerour, quhilk was king of all the warlde, was a grete tyrane, … avaricious misdoare [etc.] c1520-c1535 Nisbet III 184 marg.
Thai that be lufferis of the law … tak God for thair mercyful father, ande nocht for a cruell tyrann 1531 Bell. Boece I 40.
He opprest his pepill with sic servitude, that he was haldin for ane mischevous tyrane 1531 Bell. Boece (M) II 130.
The ingyn of tyrannis ar ay of sik condicioun, the mair thai see thair subdittis … in extreme misery, thair vnmercifull fury ragis in mair cruelte 1531 Bell. Boece II 515.
Heir sal the braid difference be knawin betwix kingis and tyrannis 1533 Boece Epistle 634b.
Ane tyran governis his realm be slachter dredour & falsit 1568 Anderson Collect. Mary II 65.
To put the quene to fredome furth of the bondage of that tyran 1558-66 Knox II 136.
Kynge Charles that tyrane terrible 1573-1600 King Cat. in Cath. Tr. 213/9.
To treate euil our bairnes, subiectes and servantes, to curse tham, to tred thame vnder feit, or to playe the tyrane ouer thame 1596 Dalr. I 132/17.
This … maner of successione remayned … sa … fixte in our peoples hartes … that verie seindle athir bastardis or vnlawfollie gottin … or tyranis, quha throuch force haue invadet the kingdome … haue beine gouernouris of the republic 1596 Dalr. I 185/18.
Thir legatis reioyses … of the destructione of the tyrane Donald 1596 Dalr. I 181 marg.
Natholok wrangouslie possessing the realme [marg. he playes the parte of a tyran] 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 54/2.
Considder first the treu differerence betuixt a laufull goode king, & ane usurping tiran 1604-31 Craig i 22.
[To] manumit afflicted Grece from Turks and tyrans hands 1622-6 Bisset II 165/3.
Lugtacus succeded to his father Corbredus … he wes the twentie twa Scottis king … ane licherus bludie tiran he wes als far haitted with his peopill for his filthie vyces as his father wes beloved(b) c1420 Wynt. viii 917.
The kyng [sc. Edward I] hym awnsweryd [etc.] … this tyrawnd [etc.] c1420 Ratis R. 1491.
Gret lordschip and senȝory Is hail ourtan with tyrandry … And fosteris fellony in his sted That louit neuir his lord a last Bot he ware tyrand c1420 Wynt. iii 919.
Falarys off Cyzile … Wes in hys dedys [a] felown man; … ay in a delyt wes he Men towrmentid in payne to se, … thys tyrand [C. terande] [etc.] c1420 Wynt. v 4488.
Teodoryk Gret tyrand wes c1515 Asl. MS I 189/18.
Nor neuer stranger rang on ws nor had dominacioun of ws suppos Arthur that tyrand maid weir on ws aganis his faith and promys(c) 1490 Irland Mir. III 123/26.
The tyrauntis that hatis thar pepil ar hatit with the pepil 1490 Irland Mir. III 129/32.
The tyrant that falsly usu'r'pis the office of the place of the king … is iniust vicius lufis his self and nocht the commoune proffit he desiris that his pepil haue litle power that he may do to thaim quhat him plesis(d) 1513 Doug. vi ix 197 (Sm.).
Sum … Sald and betrasit thar natiue realm and land And tharin brocht a michty tirrand strang 1513 Doug. xii ii 59.
Ȝone Troiane tyrrand 1549 Compl. 91/21.
Quhou dangerus is it til ony sort of pepil til hef ane cruel tirran ryngand abuf them 1567–8 Crim. Trials I i 512.
That sic ane young fool and proud tirrane [sc. Darnley] sould not … bear reull over thame 1622-6 Bisset I 54/6.
O thow unhappie tirran, (quhilk for desyre of the croun) hes slane ane innocent 1622-6 Bisset I 63/27.
Makduff … quhais wyffe, barnis, … and houshald this cruell tirran Makbaith had … slane 1626 Garden Worthies 12.
I [sc. Makduf] was the object of a tirrans iretransf. 1560–1 St. A. Kirk S. 63.
James aucht … of the law of God to haif … rendered dew benevolence to me as husband … to … wyfe and nocht to beare impyre abone me as ane tyran a1568 Bann. MS 145a/14.
Telȝeouris ar tyrranis in kelling of lyis(2) 1490 Irland Mir. III 134/30.
Busirus the tirant c1515 Asl. MS I 195/9.
Henry the secund that slew Sanct Thomas of Canterbery … this Henry the tyrand … was secund fra the devill carnate … and all the kingis of Yngland … ar descendit and cummyn dovne of the samyn tyrand c1515 Asl. MS I 214/6.
And than was crovnit his son Henry the fyft callit Henry the tyrand c1515 Asl. MS I 265/15.
The nixt ȝere efter come Eduard the tyrand him self 1533 Boece 221b.
Maximus the tyran … astreneȝeing the inhumane pepill of Germanȝe to ȝerlie tribute a1538 Abell 2*b.
Attuyl tyran a1538 Abell 8*a.
Nero tyran c1590 Fowler II 60/6.
Antiochus Eupator (sone to Antiochus the tyran) a1651 Calderwood I 142.
He compiled the Historie of Dyonisius the Tyranne in forme of a comedie(3) a1538 Abell 97a.
Scottis king 97 wes Robert the Brus … he passit to Scone & thare for rychttus hair wes crownit thoth the tiran had tane awa the regale chair c1500-50 Brevis Cronica 338.
He [sc. Robert II] recoverit out of the handis of Inglismen the haill landis which thai hade possest themselves off in the regnne of the tyranne of Ingland

2. Anyone who exercises power or authority in an oppressive or cruel manner, despotically or without regard to law or the condition of those under his control.(a) a1400 Leg. S. xxxiii 360.
That tyme were emperouris twa. Dyoclyciane … & … Maxymyane … & vndir thame wes Dacyane, A fel tyrande, that sparit nane a1400 Leg. S. xlv 161.
Than Cristyane of hire flesch can pul … & kyst [it] in hire fadire face & sad … Thu tyrand [etc.] ?1438 Alex. ii 198.
Ald Clarus, the king of Inde … walde … wed hir all agane hir will … Hir had weill leuer be grauin in grene. Thairfore that tyran is ful tene c1420 Wynt. vi 1092.
Off Ingland that tyme the barnage Payid to the Denmarkis gret trewage … And for Saynct Elpheg wald noucht pay, … Thire tyrandys [etc.] c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 1494.
Becaus the king was ȝoung of age, Than tyrannis rang, into thair rage 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 325.
The pure of the cuntrie wes feirit at his desyre, becaus the said capitane wes ane tirrane a1578 Pitsc. I 392/2.
He [sc. Sir James Hamilton] was ever ane tirant and blude scheder and ane conqueser of wther mens herietagis a1578 Pitsc. I 392/31.
Teran 1622-6 Bisset I 17/17.
He garte the … proudest, stubbroun tirrantis to him bow, Leif of oppressioun and crowall deidis(b) c1475 Wall. iii 242.
Quhen Wallace had weyle wenquist … The fals terand that had his fadyr slayne

b. specif. Applied to those who were seen as oppressors of the Reformed religion.The Gau quot. may belong in prec. c1520-c1535 Nisbet II 43 marg.
Gif persecutiounn … be donne only to the ministers of Godis worde and not to the floke, than may thai flee the tyrannye of tyrannes 1533 Gau 93/29.
Giff wsz grace … to liff efter Thy command and noth as dwis the tirannis and oppressours and theyffis and stark ydil beggers the quhilk ar blwid suppers of the pwir 1554 Knox III 234.
Be what meanis sall the tirantis of Ingland … be punissit 1566 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 89.
Scho [sc. the queen] … may not justly break the lawes; and so consequentlie, scho may not sett up against us nor without our consent that Romane Antichryst againe … we … humblie craves … quhat ȝe will do incase that sick tyrrants and invadeing wolves be givin to devore the flocke of Jesus Chryst within this realme 1558-66 Knox II 390.
That bloody tyrane the Duke of Gueise 1565 Knox VI 244.
Tirauntes 1680 Soc. Ant. XLV 235.
Mr. M^cWairds and Mr. Hog ar so far unfaith[full] that they allow of obeying these tirrants opresors as to give over feild preachings 1687 Shields Hind Let Loose Pref. iv.
Slaves, mancipated to a stupid subjection to tyrants absoluteness

3. A violent, cruel or wicked person more generally, a ruffian; a villain.(a) a1400 Leg. S. ii 801.
Than tyrandis he [sc. Nero] callit hym till, And, his wikitnes to fulfill, Bad thame in all the partis of Rome Set fyre a1500 Henr. Fab. 1045.
This tratour tod, this tirrant, and this tyke, The fattest off this flock he fellit hais a1500 Colk. Sow i 77.
A hangman a hasardour A tyrant a tormentour 1513 Doug. viii iv 29.
Befor that tyrrandis [sc. Cacus] ȝet of men that ded is Affixit stud mony dolorus hedis 1525 St. A. Formulare I 270.
Symon Magus for his symony, bludy Nero, cursit Decius, Maxentiius, Olibrius, Julianus apostata and the laif of the cruell tyrannis that slew and murthirit Cryistis haly servandis 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1602 (Ch.).
Be me tratours and tyrants ar put doun, Quha thinks na schame of thair iniquitie Till thay be punisched be mee, Correctioun 1571 Ferg. Serm. iii Malachi Sig. C iib.
Sum [sc. kirk rents] wer sauld, sum set in few, sum reft be tyrannis and wickit men 1558-66 Knox II 57.
The tyranne … with the poore catyveis awin quhynger … straik him in the breist 1573 Davidson in Sat. P. xl Dedic. 276.
That our watche men faint not, nor begin to iouk or flatter with the world for feir of tyrannis a1578 Pitsc. I 145 heading.
Of ane gret tyraine and brigane that was apprehendit and taine in Angus 1581 Sat. P. xliv 258.
The bangister Hayis salbe the vther tuay; Ane is the tyrane, the vther fals, I vish 1598 Marischal Coll. Rec. 101.
He was alwayes readie him self to pay, bot he sturred with tyrannis alledging he might haive gottin if he lyked a discharge of the whole anvel(b) a1400 Leg. S. i 289.
He folawit … Agan that terane [sc. Simon Magus] c1460 Wisd. Sol. (STS) 350.
To se the rycht gud wysman perys with his rycht gud vysnes and teranis in heill and velth lef lang a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 287 (B).
Tigiris [R. Teirandis] serpentis and taidis will remane In Dumbar wallis

4. fig. Applied to anything which behaves oppressively, cruelly or tyrannically. 1490 Irland Mir. III 109/27.
Than enterit in the realme of the saule four gret tyrannis richt contrar to iustice … that ar the four passiounis ioy tristes hop and dreid a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 36 (Arund.).
O wofull warld … Thy lustand likand lestis bot ane thraw Thow tirane [Harl. tyrrane, Asl. tirrane] tressonabill a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 57 (Asl.).
We ar sa blunderit in wardlie besynes … We sell oure saull for wane prosperite. O strang tirrand … Fader of falset … Just men oppressand and schrewis settand hie a1500 Quare Jel. 278.
And be sche glad or wele besene in oucht This tyrane [sc. Jelousy] saith it is nat do for nocht c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 178/25.
That strang unmercifull tyrand [sc. Death] 1513 Doug. i v 120.
The dreidful portis salbe schet … Of Janus tempill the takynar of bataill; With hard irne bandis claspit fast in cage Of wykkit bargane tharin the furyus rage Set … in his seyt … The horribil tyrrant with bludy mouth sal bray 1537 Lynd. Depl. Magd. 4.
In thy [sc. Adam's] default this cruell tyrane [sc. Death] ringis 1568 Skeyne Descr. Pest 8.
The third part of the people in the eird war not left vnplukit away be sic ane cruell miserable tiran & manslayar

5. attrib. or as adj. a. Of a person: That is a tyrant in senses 1-3 above; tyrannous. a1400 Leg. S. xix 565.
The fellone tyrand king c1400 Troy-bk. ii 2278.
To Phynit come … Quhare I fande wikkit tyrand-men, That ruschit on my folk & me And slew most part of my menȝe 1456 Hay I 69/35.
Gif ȝe will wit quhat difference thare is betuix a noble prince and a tyrane king … a prince that is a verray noble prince is ay enclynit to the commoun prouffit … Bot ay the grete tyrane lukis till his awin prouffit 1456 Hay I 176/1.
Cruell or tyrane men, brekaris of pes, or doaris of grete injuris a1500 Henr. Fab. 1260.
Pure commounis, that daylie ar opprest Be tirrane men c1475 Wall. vi 273.
Amer Wallang, a suttell terand knycht 1549 Compl. 123/34.
The teyndis of my cornis … ar tane furtht of my handis be my tua tirran brethir c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4149.
God … Hes maid of tyrrane kyngis instrumentis To scurge peple 1562-3 Winȝet I 44/9.
He causis sumtyme vitious or tyrane princes … to haue dominioun abone vs a1578 Pitsc. I 198/30.
Richt desyreous to haue victorie of that tyrane king

b. Of a thing: Characteristic of a tyrant. c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 75 (M).
Dissaitfull serpent with teirrand mynd vnstable 1572 Reg. Privy C. II 140.
Commanding … liegis to compeir … for certane forgeit caussis … thinking be thair inordinat proceidingis, tirrant and tressonable attemptattis, to amplefie thair usurpit power