autarky

or au·tar·chy

[ aw-tahr-kee ]

noun

, plural au·tar·kies.

1. the condition of self-sufficiency, especially economic, as applied to a nation.
2. a national policy of economic independence.

autarky

/ ˈɔːtɑːkɪ /

noun

1. (esp of a political unit) a system or policy of economic self-sufficiency aimed at removing the need for imports
2. an economically self-sufficient country

Derived Forms

• auˈtarkic, adjective
• ˈautarkist, noun

Other Words From

• au·tarkic au·tarki·cal adjective
• au·tarki·cal·ly adverb
• autar·kist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of autarky¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from Greek autárkeia, “self-sufficiency,” equivalent to aut- aut- + arke-, stem of arkeîn “to be strong enough, suffice” + -ia -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of autarky¹

C17: from Greek autarkeia, from autarkēs self-sufficient, from auto- + arkein to suffice