Main Entry: ¹dem·a·gogue

Variant(s): also dem·a·gog \ˈde-mə-ˌgäg\

Function: noun

Etymology: Greek dēmagōgos, from dēmos people (perhaps akin to Greek daiesthai to divide) + agōgos leading, from agein to lead — more at tide, agent

Date: 1648

1 : a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power
2 : a leader championing the cause of the common people in ancient times

— dem·a·gogu·ery \-ˌgä-g(ə-)rē\ noun

— dem·a·gogy \-ˌgä-gē, -ˌgä-jē, -ˌgō-jē\ noun