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===Etymology=== |
===Etymology=== |
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[[File:Thomas Love Peacock by Henry Wallis.jpg|thumb|The word ''kakistocracy'' was used by English author {{w|Thomas Love Peacock}} (1785–1866) ''(pictured)'' in his 1829 [[novella]] ''{{w|The Misfortunes of Elphin}}''. The portrait of Peacock, by [[Pre-Raphaelite]] artist {{w|Henry Wallis}} (1830–1916), is in the collection of the [[w:National Portrait Gallery, London|National Portrait Gallery]], [[London]], [[England]], UK.]] |
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From {{der|en|grc|κάκιστος||[[worst]]}}, [[Appendix:Glossary#superlative|superlative]] of {{affix|grc|κακός|-κρατία|gloss1=[[bad]]|gloss2=[[power#Noun|power]], [[rule#Noun|rule]], [[government]]|nocat=1}}. The word was used, perhaps re-coined, by the English author {{w|Thomas Love Peacock}} (1785–1866) in his 1829 [[novella]] ''{{w|The Misfortunes of Elphin}}'' as the opposite of {{m|en|aristocracy}} (see the quotation). |
From {{der|en|grc|κάκιστος||[[worst]]}}, [[Appendix:Glossary#superlative|superlative]] of {{affix|grc|κακός|-κρατία|gloss1=[[bad]]|gloss2=[[power#Noun|power]], [[rule#Noun|rule]], [[government]]|nocat=1}}. The word was used, perhaps re-coined, by the English author {{w|Thomas Love Peacock}} (1785–1866) in his 1829 [[novella]] ''{{w|The Misfortunes of Elphin}}'' as the opposite of {{m|en|aristocracy}} (see the quotation). |
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Revision as of 19:01, 17 April 2018
English
Etymology
From Ancient Greek κάκιστος (kákistos, “worst”), superlative of κακός (kakós, “bad”) + -κρατία (-kratía, “power, rule, government”). The word was used, perhaps re-coined, by the English author Thomas Love Peacock (1785–1866) in his 1829 novella The Misfortunes of Elphin as the opposite of aristocracy (see the quotation).
Pronunciation
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parameter) IPA(key): /kakɪsˈtɒkɹəsɪ/, /kakɪˈstɒ-/ - Lua error in Module:parameters at line 333: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "GA" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. (deprecated use of
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parameter) IPA(key): /kækɪsˈtɑkɹəsi/, /kækɪˈstɑ-/ - (deprecated use of
|lang=
parameter) Hyphenation: ka‧kis‧to‧cra‧cy
Noun
kakistocracy (plural kakistocracies)
- Government under the control of a nation's worst or least-qualified citizens. [from 1829.]
- 1644, Paul Gosnold, A sermon preached at the publique fast the ninth day of Aug. 1644 at St. Maries, Oxford, Early English Books Online:
- Therefore we need not make any scruple of praying against […] those restlesse spirits who can no longer live, then be stickling and medling; who are stung with a perpetuall itch of changing and innovating, transforming our old Hierarchy into a new Presbytery, and this againe into a newer Independency; and our well-temperd Monarchy into a mad kinde of Kakistocracy.
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- 1644, Paul Gosnold, A sermon preached at the publique fast the ninth day of Aug. 1644 at St. Maries, Oxford, Early English Books Online:
Alternative forms
Derived terms
Translations
government by the worst citizens
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Further reading
- kakistocracy on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
- Amro Ali (2016 May 9) “Kakistocracy: A Word We Need to Revive”, in Amro Ali: Writing on Egypt, Middle East and Other Peaceful Places[1], archived from the original on 16 January 2017.
- Rick Finkelstein (2011 May 25) “Kakistocracy… A Word You Should Know”, in The Huffington Post[2], archived from the original on 2 January 2017.
- Michael Quinion (December 1, 2007) “Kakistocracy”, in World Wide Words.