timocracy

noun

ti·​moc·​ra·​cy tī-ˈmä-krə-sē How to pronounce timocracy (audio)
1
: government in which a certain amount of property is necessary for office
2
: government in which love of honor is the ruling principle
timocratic adjective
or timocratical

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tymotracie, from Middle French tymocracie, from Medieval Latin timocratia, from Greek timokratia, from timē price, value, honor + -kratia -cracy; akin to Greek tiein to honor, Sanskrit cāyati he respects

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of timocracy was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near timocracy

Cite this Entry

“Timocracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/timocracy. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!