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Webster 1913 Edition

Democracy

De-moc′ra-cy

(dē̍-mŏk′rȧ-sy̆)
,
Noun.
;
pl.
Democracies
(dē̍-mŏk′rȧ-sĭz)
.
[F.
démocratie
, fr. Gr.
δημοκρατία
;
δῆμοσ
the people +
κρατεῖν
to be strong, to rule,
κράτοσ
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 1828 Edition

Democracy

DEMOCRACY

,
Noun.
[Gr. People, and to possess, to govern.] Government by the people; a form of government, in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of the people collectively, or in which the people exercise the powers of legislation. Such was the government of Athens.

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