plutocrat
Meaning
A person who is powerful because they are rich.
Structure
Usage
The policy was widely seen as favoring the interests of plutocrats over the middle class.
In the late 19th century, America's industrial plutocrats built vast fortunes and immense political influence.
The novel satirizes a society governed by greedy plutocrats who are indifferent to public welfare.
Etymology
The word 'plutocrat' is a modern formation, coined in the 19th century by combining two ancient Greek roots. The first part, ploutos, personified as the god Pluto, originally referred to agricultural wealth and abundance. The second part, kratos, denoted physical power, dominion, and authoritative rule. When fused, these elements create a term whose literal meaning is "one who rules by wealth," directly and logically describing a person whose political power and social influence are derived primarily from their financial resources, rather than hereditary title or democratic mandate.
Analysis
- pluto: From Greek ploutos, meaning "wealth". It functions as the root indicating the concept of riches. - crat: From Greek -kratēs, from kratos, meaning "power, strength, rule". It functions as a combining form meaning "a member of a ruling class" or "advocate of a type of rule".