democracy

Where does the word "democracy" come from? It comes from Greek demokratia, passing through Medieval Latin and Middle French before entering English (1500s-1600s).

Democracy’s story begins in Greek: demokratia meant “rule by the people.” From "demos" (people) and "kratos" (power). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Medieval Latin as democratia. William of Moerbeke's Latin translation of Aristotle's 'Politics' around 1260 spread the term. From there it passed into Middle French as democratie by medieval. Carried the political concept into French. It reached English by 1500s-1600s as democracy. Settled as the English political term. Today, democracy means a system of government in which power is held by the people through elections.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient demokratia "rule by the people", from "demos" (people) and "kratos" (power).
2. Stage 2 · Medieval Latin · medieval democratia "rule by the people", William of Moerbeke's Latin translation of Aristotle's 'Politics' around 1260 spread the term.
3. Stage 3 · Middle French · medieval democratie "government by the people", carried the political concept into French.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1500s-1600s democracy "a system of government by the people", settled as the English political term.