gerontocracy
UK[ˌdʒer.ɒnˈtɒk.rə.si]US[ˌdʒer.ənˈtɑː.krə.si]
n
A state, society, or group governed by old people.
n
Government based on rule by old people.
Morpheme Breakdown
geront
o
cracy
geront
old man
o
connecting vowel
cracy
rule, government
Etymology
The word 'gerontocracy' is a modern English formation built directly from classical Greek components. The first element, geront-, derives from gerōn (genitive gerontos), meaning "old man," a term with deep Indo-European roots related to aging and maturity. The second element, -cracy, originates from Greek kratos, meaning "strength, power, rule." These morphemes were combined in the 19th century, following the model of other -cracy compounds like 'democracy' and 'aristocracy,' to create a precise term for a political system where power is held by the eldest members of a community. The term carries a critical or analytical tone, often implying that such rule is characterized by conservatism or resistance to change.
Analysis
Structure: geront (old man) + o (connecting vowel) + cracy (rule, government)
- geront: From Greek gerōn, geront- meaning "old man." It functions as the core root specifying the type of person in power.
- o: A connecting vowel (often 'o') used in Greek-derived compounds to join two roots.
- cracy: From Greek -kratia, meaning "rule," "power," or "government." It functions as a combining form indicating a type of governing system.
Examples
The country was often described as a gerontocracy, with all key positions held by men over seventy.
Critics accused the party's leadership of degenerating into a stagnant gerontocracy.
Anthropologists have studied tribal societies that function as gerontocracies, where elders make all major decisions.