This week’s theme
There’s a word for it

This week’s words
despotocracy


Previous week’s theme
Blend words

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(des-puh-TAH-kruh-see)

MEANING:

noun: Government by a despot.

ETYMOLOGY:

From despot (tyrant or autocrat), from Greek despotes (master) + -cracy (rule). Earliest documented use: 1860.

NOTES:

A despotocracy is rule where power is personal, concentrated, and allergic to dissent. One person’s whim can outrank a constitution. It is rule by decree, followed by more rule by decree, with a brief intermission for applause.

USAGE:

“The silver-tongued Texan also encouraged Americans to send mobile phones to the isle of commie despotocracy.”
Rory Carroll; Caracas Diary; The Guardian (London, UK); May 23, 2008.

“If we assume a change of government in Baghdad as a result of military action, then whatever sort of government replaces Saddam Hussein’s despotocracy -- what else do you call a regime where unelected family members and tribal allies wield so much power, often brutally? -- will need plenty of long-term foreign assistance to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure and economy.”
World Hopes for the Best; Leader Post (Regina, Canada); Mar 20, 2003.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: