Main Entry: plu·toc·ra·cy

Pronunciation: \plü-ˈtä-krə-sē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural plu·toc·ra·cies

Etymology: Greek ploutokratia, from ploutos wealth; akin to Greek plein to sail, float — more at flow

Date: 1652

1 : government by the wealthy
2 : a controlling class of the wealthy

— plu·to·crat \ˈplü-tə-ˌkrat\ noun

— plu·to·crat·ic \ˌplü-tə-ˈkra-tik\ adjective

— plu·to·crat·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb