The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word DESPOT
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
D
E
S
P
O
T
More clues leading to the result DESPOT
- Tyrant posted abroad
- Tyrant from regimental HQ around the South
- Dictator in regiment's HQ receiving head of state
- What acne cream should do for tyrant
- Tyrant executes leading journalist coming from the East
- Those in heart of Aden see authoritarian figure
- A tyrant’s place after poor exam results
- See supporting extremists in dispute: autocratic type
- Autocrat is very downcast when northern den is obliterated
- Authoritarian period especially constrained
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "autocratic type" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case autocratic type = despot.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does DESPOT mean?
DESPOT noun- A ruler with absolute power; a tyrant.
- A title awarded to senior members of the imperial family in the late Byzantine Empire, and claimed by various independent or semi-autonomous rulers in the Balkans (12th to 15th centuries)