autocracy

Where does the word "autocracy" come from? It comes from Greek autos, and was adopted directly into English (1810s).

Autocracy’s story begins in Greek: autos meant “self.” Self, combined with kratos (power). It reached English by 1810s as autocracy. Settled as the English word for government by a single ruler with absolute power. Today, autocracy means a system of government by a single person with absolute, unchecked power.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient autos "self", self, combined with kratos (power).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1810s autocracy "government by a single ruler with absolute power", settled as the English word for government by a single ruler with absolute power.