De*moc"ra*cy
(de*mok"ra*sy),
n.; pl. Democracies (-
siz).
[F. démocratie, fr. Gr.
δημοκρατὶα
; δημος the people +
κρατειν to be strong, to rule, κρὰτος
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.]
© Webster 1913.