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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Democracy \De*moc"ra*cy\ (d[-e]*m[o^]k"r[.a]*s[y^]), n.; pl.
{Democracies} (d[-e]*m[o^]k"r[.a]*s[i^]z). [F. d['e]mocratie,
fr. Gr. dhmokrati`a; dh^mos the people kratei^n to be
strong, to rule, kra`tos strength.]
1. Government by the people; a form of government in which
the supreme power is retained and directly exercised by
the people.
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2. Government by popular representation; a form of government
in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but
is indirectly exercised through a system of representation
and delegated authority periodically renewed; a
constitutional representative government; a republic.
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3. Collectively, the people, regarded as the source of
government. --Milton.
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4. The principles and policy of the Democratic party, so
called. [U.S.]
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