'monocratic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'monokratia', where 'mono-' meant 'one' and 'kratos' meant 'power' or 'rule'.

'monocratic' developed from the noun 'monocracy' (modern English), which itself came into English via medieval/late Latin and French forms from Greek 'monokratia'; the adjective was formed in English to describe things pertaining to that system of rule.

Initially the root referred specifically to 'rule by one' (the noun concept); over time the adjective 'monocratic' has come to mean 'relating to or characterized by single-person rule' and is used more broadly to describe single-person control in political and organizational contexts.