autarky

or au·tar·chy

[aw-tahr-kee]

noun, plural au·tar·kies.

the condition of self-sufficiency, especially economic, as applied to a nation.

a national policy of economic independence.

Origin of autarky

1610–20; < Greek autárkeia, equivalent to aut- aut- + arke- suffice + -ia -ia

Related formsau·tar·kic, au·tar·ki·cal, adjectiveau·tar·ki·cal·ly, adverbau·tar·kist, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for autarky

autarky

noun plural -kies

(esp of a political unit) a system or policy of economic self-sufficiency aimed at removing the need for imports

an economically self-sufficient country

Derived Formsautarkic, adjectiveautarkist, noun

Word Origin for autarky

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for autarky

1610s, "self-sufficiency," from Greek autarkeia "sufficiency in oneself, independence," from autarkes "self-sufficient, having enough, independent of others" (also used of countries), from autos "self" (see auto-) + arkein "to ward off, keep off," also "to be strong enough, sufficient," from PIE root *ark- "to hold, contain, guard" (see arcane). From a different Greek source than autarchy, and thus the spelling. As a term in international economics, prominent late 1930s. Related: Autarkic.