'tyranny' originates from the Old French word 'tyrannie', which in turn comes from the Latin 'tyrannia', derived from the Greek 'tyrannos', meaning 'absolute ruler'.

'tyrannos' transformed into the Latin 'tyrannia', and eventually became the modern English word 'tyranny' through Old French.

Initially, it meant 'absolute rule by a single person', but over time it evolved to include the notion of oppressive and unjust rule.