1. abs., to be lord or master, gain the mastery, “πρὸς βίαν δ.” A.Pr.210; “ἄρχειν καὶ δ.” Pl.Phd.80a, al.: as law-term, to be the legal proprietor, opp. κρατεῖν, PTheb.Bank1.15, cf. BGU1187.9 (i B. C.), PLond.3.977.32 (iv A. D.).
b. Astrol., of planets, to be dominant in a nativity, Vett. Val.72.5.
2. c. gen., to be lord or master of, h.Cer.365, Hdt.3.142, etc.; Ζηνὸς (or Διὸς)“ δεσπόσαι” A.Pr.930; “δεσπόζοντ᾽ ἐμοῦ” E. Supp.518; δ. τινός, opp. δουλεύειν ἄλλῳ, Pl.R.576a; δεσπόζειν φόβης own it, A.Ch.188; make oneself master of, “λέκτροις ὧν ἐδέσποζον” E.Andr.928: metaph., “τοῦδε δ. λόγου” A.Ag.543.
3. c. acc., lord it over, “δ. πόλιν” E.HF28:—Pass., “δεσπόζονται” Hp.Aër.16; “δεσποζόμεναι πόλεις” Pl.Lg.712e; “δ. ὑπό τινος” D.S.18.60; “πρός τινος” Ph.1.337.