bureaucracy
UK[bjʊəˈrɒkrəsi]US[bjʊˈrɑːkrəsi]
n
a system of government or business that has many complicated rules and ways of doing things
n
the people who are employed to run a government or large organization, especially those who follow the rules rigidly
Morpheme Breakdown
bureau
cracy
bureau
desk, office
cracy
rule, power
Etymology
the word 'bureaucracy' is a hybrid formation, combining the french word for 'office' with the greek-derived suffix for 'rule'. it originated in mid-18th century france, where 'bureau' (a desk covered with a specific cloth) had evolved to mean an office or a government department. the suffix '-cracy' denotes a system or form of government. thus, the term literally translates to 'rule by the office' or 'rule by desks', a satirical critique of administrative systems where complex procedures and rigid adherence to rules by officials seem to hold the real power. this captures the essence of the modern abstract meaning: a system characterized by multilayered administrative procedures.
Analysis
Structure: bureau (desk, office) + cracy (rule, power)
bureau is from french, originally meaning 'desk' or 'office', derived from old french 'burel' (coarse woolen cloth, used to cover desks). cracy is from french '-cratie', from latin '-cratia', from greek '-kratia', meaning 'power' or 'rule'.
Examples
applying for a visa often involves navigating a labyrinth of bureaucracy.
the new management promised to cut through the bureaucracy and make decisions faster.
critics argue that excessive bureaucracy stifles innovation in public services.