democrat

Where does the word "democrat" come from? It comes from Greek demokratia, passing through French before entering English (1700s).

Democrat’s story begins in Greek: demokratia meant “rule by the people.” Literally rule by the people, from demos (people) and kratos (power). By 1700s, the word had taken hold in French as democrate. Carried into French revolutionary political vocabulary. It reached English by 1700s as democrat. Settled as the word for a supporter of democracy. Today, democrat means a supporter or advocate of democracy.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient demokratia "rule by the people", literally rule by the people, from demos (people) and kratos (power).
2. Stage 2 · French · 1700s democrate "a supporter of rule by the people", carried into French revolutionary political vocabulary.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1700s democrat "a supporter of democratic government", settled as the word for a supporter of democracy.