-cracy
|cra-cy|
🇺🇸
/ˈkreɪsi/
🇬🇧
/ˈkræsi/
rule / power
Etymology
'-cracy' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'kratos', where 'kratos' meant 'power' or 'rule'.
'-cracy' entered English via Latin and French (e.g. French '-cratie') and became productive in English from the 17th century onward, forming nouns such as 'democracy' and 'aristocracy'.
Initially it meant 'power' or 'rule' in Ancient Greek; over time it evolved into a productive English suffix meaning 'rule by' or 'government of' a specified group.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a combining form (suffix) used to form nouns meaning 'rule', 'government', or 'power' by a specified group (e.g. 'democracy' = rule by the people).
The suffix -cracy denotes a type of government or rule, as in 'bureaucracy' or 'theocracy'.
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Antonyms
Noun 2
used in compound words to indicate the dominance, control, or influence of a particular class or group (e.g. 'plutocracy' = rule by the wealthy).
In words like 'plutocracy' and 'technocracy', -cracy signals who holds power or influence.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/10 11:53