Dictionary

ochlocrat en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈɒkləkɹæt/ (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

Etymology tree English ochlo- Ancient Greek -ο- (-o-)der. Latin -o-bor. English -o- Proto-Indo-European *kret-der. Ancient Greek κρᾰ́τος (krắtos)bor. English -crat English ochlocrat From ochlo- (“mob”) + -o- + -crat (“supporter of rule thereby”).

Meanings

1. An adherent of the principle of ochlocracy; an advocate of mob rule.
   • ‘The people are as holy as the mob is unholy. A democract is one who wants government for the people and by the people. Someone who wants mob rule is called an “ochlocrat”.’ [from ochlos, Greek for ‘mass’, ‘mob’ (h.a.w.)] The three estates, the nobility, peasantry, and bourgeoisie, must have advisory and co-determinative political power in all issues and requirements of the country; the princes are to exercise executive authority ‘within boundaries established by the general laws of Germany’.³¹ 2006, Heinrich August Winkler, translated by Alexander Sager, Germany: The Long Road West, 1789–1933, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 59, →ISBN:
   • “You, Father, are an ochlocrat. No heresy in our time is more noxious than trying to implant ochlocracy in the Church. And that’s what you’re trying to do.” 1993, Jorge Amado, translated by Gregory Rabassa, The War of the Saints, Bantam Books, →ISBN, page 117, →ISBN:
   • But Lysias was an unabashed ‘ ochlocrat.’ He was at this time poor, and his citizenship was shown to be illegal almost as soon as it was granted. 1897: Gilbert Murray, M.A., A history of ancient Greek literature, page 338 (D. Appleton and Company)

Forms

Deriveds

ochlocratical · ochlocratically · ochlocratic

Relateds

-crat · ochlagogue · ochlo- · ochlagogy · ochlocracy