theocracy
[thee-ok-ruh-see]
- a form of government in which God or a deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler, the God's or deity's laws being interpreted by the ecclesiastical authorities.
- a system of government by priests claiming a divine commission.
- a commonwealth or state under such a form or system of government.
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Origin of theocracy
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for theocracy
Contemporary Examples
He challenged the very core of the Iranian theocracy and demanded respect for basic human rights.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015Movements.Org
December 25, 2014
Salafis, who believe in a Muslim theocracy, say the Egyptian government must interpret Shariah and enforce it upon the nation.
They shudder from the mere thought that Rabbi Amar's admonition may come about and Israel will turn into a theocracy.
Nor, for that matter, is the Iranian theocracy, Hamas, or Hizbullah.
In that sense America, like [Old Testament] Israel, is a theocracy.
Historical Examples
The Massachusetts colonial government has been called a theocracy.
The Land We Live InHenry Mann
They are the hieroglyphics of feudalism, succeeding those of theocracy.
Notre-Dame de ParisVictor Hugo
So Garotte became a sort of theocracy, with Judge Rablay as ruler.
Eatin' Crow; and The Best Man In GarotteFrank Harris
In the Theocracy, the Hebrew nation were the hereditary nobles.
The Parables of Our LordWilliam Arnot
They had visions of a theocracy, and were impatient of an earthly king.
theocracy
- government by a deity or by a priesthood
- a community or political unit under such government
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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 theocracy
n.
1620s, "sacerdotal government under divine inspiration" (as that of Israel before the rise of kings), from Greek theokratia "the rule of God" (Josephus), from theos "god" (see Thea) + kratos "a rule, regime, strength" (see -cracy). Meaning "priestly or religious body wielding political and civil power" is recorded from 1825.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
theocracy
[(thee-ok-ruh-see)]
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.