First Known Use: 1652
Dictionary
plutocracy
noun plu·toc·ra·cy \plü-ˈtä-krə-sē\
: government by the richest people
: a country that is ruled by the richest people
: a group of very rich people who have a lot of power
plural plu·toc·ra·cies
Full Definition of PLUTOCRACY
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
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Origin of PLUTOCRACY
Greek ploutokratia, from ploutos wealth; akin to Greek plein to sail, float — more at flow
Other Government and Politics Terms
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