Word of the Day

: July 24, 2007

monocracy

noun muh-NAH-kruh-see

What It Means

: government by a single person

monocracy in Context

After years of subjugation, the citizens of the country rose up against the oppressive monocracy.

Did You Know?

In society's search for the best kind of government, the suffix "-cracy" (which means "form of government" and traces to the Greek "kratos," meaning "strength" or "power") has worn many hats. "Monocracy" pairs "-cracy" with a descendant of "monos," meaning "alone" or "single." The suffix also underlies other governmental terms including "democracy" ("government by the people"), "aristocracy" ("government by a small privileged class"), "theocracy" ("government by divine guidance"), "ochlocracy" ("government by the mob"), and "gerontocracy" ("rule by elders").