timocracy

American  

[tahy-mok-ruh-see] / taɪˈmɒk rə si /

noun

plural

timocracies

1. a form of government in which love of honor is the dominant motive of the rulers.

2. a form of government in which a certain amount of property is requisite as a qualification for office.

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timocracy British  

/ ˌtaɪməˈkrætɪk, taɪˈmɒkrəsɪ /

noun

1. a political unit or system in which possession of property serves as the first requirement for participation in government

2. a political unit or system in which love of honour is deemed the guiding principle of government

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Other Word Forms

• timocratic
  adjective
• timocratical
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of timocracy

First recorded in 1580–90; earlier timocratie, from French or directly from Greek tīmokratía, equivalent to tīmo- (combining form of tīmḗ “honor, worth”) + -kratia combining form meaning “government”; see origin at -cracy

Example Sentences

Proud is Harvard of sons who have become famed financiers and economists, stalwart foundation piles of the U. S. timocracy and foreign financial affairs.

From Time Magazine Archive

The accumulation of gold in the treasury of private individuals is ruin the of timocracy; they invent illegal modes of expenditure; for what do they or their wives care about the law?

From The Republic by Jowett, Benjamin

In Ionia and Sicily the tyrants found an oligarchical timocracy, which was commonly opposed by a democratical party;21 and in some instances, as in that of Gelon, the tyrant acted against the popular faction.

From The History and Antiquities of the Doric Race, Vol. 2 of 2 by Müller, Karl Otfried

The PISISTRATIDS.—The government of Athens, framed by Solon, was in effect a "timocracy," or rule of the rich.

From Outline of Universal History by Fisher, George Park

The individual who answers to timocracy has some noticeable qualities.

From The Republic by Jowett, Benjamin