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kakistocracy

 - 3 dictionary results

kak⋅is⋅toc⋅ra⋅cy

  [kak-uh-stok-ruh-see]
Use kakistocracy in a Sentence
–noun, plural -cies.
government by the worst persons; a form of government in which the worst persons are in power.
Origin:
1820–30; < Gk kákisto(s), superl. of kakós bad + -cracy

Related forms:
ka⋅kis⋅to⋅crat⋅i⋅cal  [kuh-kis-tuh-krat-i-kuhl] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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kak·is·toc·ra·cy   (kāk'ĭ-stŏk'rə-sē, kä'kĭ-)   
n.   pl. kak·is·toc·ra·cies
Government by the least qualified or most unprincipled citizens.

[Greek kakistos, worst, superlative of kakos, bad; see caco- + -cracy.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

kakistocracy 
1829, "government by the worst element of a society," coined on analogy of aristocracy from Gk. kakistos "worst," superl. of kakos "bad" (which is perhaps related to the general IE word for "defecate") + -kratia "rule of," from kratos "strength, power, rule" (see -cracy).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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