Democracies

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Democracy \De*moc"ra*cy\ (d[-e]*m[o^]k"r[.a]*s[y^]), n.; pl.
     {Democracies} (d[-e]*m[o^]k"r[.a]*s[i^]z). [F. d['e]mocratie,
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Collectively, the people, regarded as the source of
        government. --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. The principles and policy of the Democratic party, so
        called. [U.S.]
        [1913 Webster]