E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Ab’solute.
A Captain Absolute, a bold, despotic man, determined to have his own way. The character is in Sheridan’s play called The Rivals.
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Sir Anthony Absolute, a warm-hearted, testy, overbearing country squire, in the same play. William Dowton (1764–1851) was nick-named “Sir Anthony Absolute.”
