timocracy

American  

[tahy-mok-ruh-see] / taɪˈmɒk rə si /

noun

• timocracies
  plural

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  

/ 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

Derived Forms

• timocratic
  adjective
• timocratical
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• timocracies
  plural

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

See Examples For:

timocracy

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

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

From The Five Great Philosophies of Life by William De Witt Hyde

The constitution in the Laws is a timocracy of wealth, modified by an aristocracy of merit.

From Laws by Benjamin Jowett

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 George Park Fisher

The individual who answers to timocracy has some noticeable qualities.

From The Republic by Benjamin Jowett