DEMOCRACY
democracy
(noun) the political orientation of those who favor government by the people or by their elected representatives
democracy, republic, commonwealth
(noun) a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
democracy (countable and uncountable, plural democracies)
(uncountable) Rule by the people, especially as a form of government; either directly or through elected representatives (representative democracy).
(countable, government) A government under the direct or representative rule of the people of its jurisdiction.
(uncountable) Belief in political freedom and equality; the "spirit of democracy".
Synonyms
• democratism (the principles or spirit of a democracy)
Coordinate terms
• (a form of government): monarchy, aristocracy, dictatorship
Proper noun
Democracy
(obsolete, US) Democratic Party
Source: Wiktionary
De*moc"ra*cy, n.; pl. Democracies. Etym: [F. démocratie, fr. Gr.
dhmokrati`a; dh^mos the people + kratei^n to be strong, to rule,
kra`tos strength.]
1. Government by the people; a form of government in which the
supreme power is retained and directly exercised by the people.
2. Government by popular representation; a form of government in
which the supreme power is retained by the people, but is indirectly
exercised through a system of representation and delegated authority
periodically renewed; a constitutional representative government; a
republic.
3. Collectively, the people, regarded as the source of government.
Milton.
4. The principles and policy of the Democratic party, so called.
[U.S.]
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition