autocracy
Meaning
A system of government in which one person has absolute power.
A country or state governed by such a system.
The power or authority of an autocrat.
Structure
Usage
The country transitioned from a democracy to a brutal autocracy.
Historians often study the autocracy of the Roman Empire under certain emperors.
He was accused of running the company like a personal autocracy.
Etymology
The term "autocracy" is a direct borrowing from the Greek 'autokratia', which was formed by combining 'autos' (self) and 'kratos' (power, rule). The original Greek concept literally meant "ruling by oneself," signifying absolute, self-derived power. This classical notion passed into Latin as 'autocratia' before entering English in the 17th century, initially describing the absolute power of a single ruler. Over time, its meaning has expanded to encompass any system where power is concentrated in one person's hands, retaining its core semantic link to the idea of singular, unchecked authority derived from the literal components "self-rule."
Analysis
- auto: From Greek 'autos', meaning "self". In this word, it functions as a combining form indicating "by oneself" or "single". - cracy: From Greek 'kratos', meaning "power, strength, rule". In this word, it functions as a combining form indicating "a type of government or rule".