timocracy

[tahy-mok-ruh-see]

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.

timocracy

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• timocratic adjective
• timocratical adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of timocracy¹

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”; -cracy

Word History and Origins

Origin of timocracy¹

C16: from Old French tymocracie, ultimately from Greek timokratia, from timē worth, honour, price + _-cracy

Example Sentences

The mercantile Free Cities of Essos each fall somewhere on the spectrum of oligarchy/plutocracy/timocracy/thalassocracy.

From Salon

The bets at the centre of the investigation were against Acosta, who was pulled up when 14-1 for a handicap hurdle at Huntingdon in May 2011; Jezza, fourth of 13 when 7-1 for a maiden hurdle at Newton Abbot in June 2011; and Timocracy, ninth of 13 when 12-1 for a handicap hurdle at Market Rasen in July the same year.

From The Guardian

First below that comes timocracy, or the government of those who are ambitious for power and place.

From Project Gutenberg

Timocracy, tī-mok′rā-si, n. a form of government in which a certain amount of property is a necessary qualification for office.—adj.

From Project Gutenberg

Between the Eupatrid oligarchy and the rule of Peisistratus there comes the timocracy of Solon.

From Project Gutenberg