1
Stage 1 of 3
bureau
French · 1600s
"a writing desk or office"
originally the coarse cloth covering a writing desk, then the office itself
2
Stage 2 of 3
bureaucratie
French · 1700s
"rule by administrative officials"
combined with Greek kratos (power) to describe rule by officials
3
Stage 3 of 3
bureaucracy
English · 1800s
"administration through officials and departments"
settled as the English word for administrative government
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