hegemony
UK[hɪˈdʒem.ə.ni]US[hɪˈdʒem.ə.ni]
n
leadership or dominance, especially by one state or social group over others.
Etymology
the word 'hegemony' entered english in the mid-16th century via latin from the greek 'hēgemonia', meaning 'leadership, supremacy'. this greek term derives from 'hēgemōn', a 'leader', which itself comes from 'hēgeisthai', meaning 'to lead'. the core semantic thread from its ancient origin to its modern political usage is the concept of guiding or commanding authority. initially used in the context of the leadership of a city-state, its meaning broadened to describe the predominant influence of one nation over others, capturing the logic of a guiding power that sets the rules for an international system.
Analysis
this word is a loanword adopted as a single unit from greek. it is not productively formed from free morphemes in modern english and therefore is not segmented.
Examples
the country's economic hegemony in the region was unchallenged for decades.
scholars debate the potential decline of american cultural hegemony.
the treaty was seen as a tool to maintain the empire's political hegemony.