De*moc"ra*cy (d&esl;*m&obreve;k"r&adot;*s&ybreve;), n.;
pl. Democracies (- s&ibreve;z). [F. démocratie, 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.
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.]
Hear it pronounced