democratic

Etymology

From Middle French democratique (“pertaining to democracy, democratic”) (modern French démocratique), and its etymon Late Latin democraticus (“pertaining to democracy, democratic; democrat”), from Ancient Greek δημοκρᾰτῐκός (dēmokratikós, “of or for democracy; favouring or suited for democracy”), from δημοκρᾰτῐ́ᾱ (dēmokratíā, “democracy”) + -ῐκός (-ikós, suffix with the sense ‘of or pertaining’ to forming adjectives). Δημοκρᾰτῐ́ᾱ (Dēmokratíā) is derived from δῆμος (dêmos, “the common people; free citizens, sovereign people; popular assembly; popular government, democracy”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *deh₂- (“to divide; to share”)) + -κρᾰτῐ́ᾱ (-kratíā, suffix meaning ‘government; rule’) (from κρᾰ́τος (krátos, “might, strength; dominion, power”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kret- (“insight, intelligence; strength”)) + -ῐ́ᾱ (-íā, suffix forming feminine abstract nouns)).

adj

1. Pertaining to democracy; constructed upon or in line with the principle of government chosen by the people.
   The United States is a democratic country, as the citizens are allowed to choose leaders to represent their interests.
   [S]ome firie ſpirited men in the Miniſterie, got ſuch a guiding of the people at that time of confuſion, as finding the guſte of gouernment ſweete, they begouth to fantaſie to themſelues, a Democratick forme of gouernment: […] and after vſurping the libertie of the time in my long minoritie, ſetled themſelues ſo faſt vpon that imagined Democracie, as they fed themſelues with the hope to become Trbuni plebis: and ſo in a populare gouernment by leading the people by the noſe, to beare the ſway of all the rule. 1599, James IV of Scotland (later also James I of England)], “Of a Kings Dvtie in His Office. The Second Booke.”, in ΒΑΣΙΛΙΚΟΝ ΔΩΡΟΝ [BASILIKON DŌRON]. Or His Maiesties Instrvctions to His Dearest Sonne, Henry the Prince, London: […] Felix Kyngston, for Iohn Norton,[…], published 1603, →OCLC, pages 39–40
   [W]hich government in its due conſtitution no Chriſtian or reformed Church, (not wholly under a democratick or popular ſpirit) yea no one eminent reformed Divine but did highly approve and deſire the happineſs to enjoy, as hath been made evident by their writings. 1658, John Gauden, Funerals Made Cordials: In a Sermon Prepared and (in Part) Preached at the Solemn Interment of the Corps of the Right Honorable Robert Rich, Heire Apparent to the Earldom of Warwick.[…], London: […] T. C. for Andrew Crook,[…], →OCLC, page 82
   Others avouch plainly the Democratick Principles, That Government riſes from the People's Conſent, and is radically founded in them; […] 1668, Abraham Philotheus [pseudonym], Anarchie Reviving, or, The Good Old Cause on the Anvile.[…], London: s.n.], →OCLC, page 2
   There, fann’d by me, lewd Faction’s quick’ning flame / Inſpires my duteous Children to defame / Thoſe Laws of Freedom which ſo long have ſtood, / Fix’d in the cement of Britannia’s blood. / There, my ſubverting Delegates diſplay / The madding pride of Democratic ſway. 1777 (erroneously indicated as 1677), [William Combe], “Additions to the Diaboliad, a Poem”, in The Diaboliad, a Poem Dedicated to the Worst Man in His Majesty’s Dominions, 2nd edition, London: […] G. Kearsly,[…], →OCLC, page 13
   The division of the legislature into two branches and their diverse origin, the long duration of office in one branch, the distinct power of the executive, the independence and permanency of the judiciary are designed to balance and check the democratick tendencies of our polity. 1809, [John Thornton Kirkland], “Notices of the Life and Character of Fisher Ames”, in Fisher Ames, Works of Fisher Ames.[…], Boston, Mass.: T. B. Wait & Co.[…], →OCLC, page xxiv
   Q. Who liberated Athens from the power of Sparta? / A. Thrasy[b]ulus, having expelled the usurpers, established the democratic government, B.C. 401. 1817–1820, [William Pinnock], “Of Bœotia and Attica”, in A Catechism of Universal History, Containing a Summary Account of the Various States, &c. &c. which Have Existed from the Earliest Ages to the Present Time (Pinnock’s Catechism), 6th edition, London: […] [F]or Pinnock and Maunder, Mentorian Press,[…]; by C. Green,[…], →OCLC, page 44
   In the United States, the federal and democratick parties divided the country till the termination of the last war. 1835, Lyman Cobb, “Lesson CCXVIII. Political Definitions.”, in The North American Reader;[…], New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers,[…], →OCLC, paragraph 10, page 473
   In the conception of the Clinton administration and pro-democracy advocates, democracy and human rights are inextricably linked and mutually reinforcing. Human rights, defined in terms of the individual's political rights and civil liberties, are key ingredients of democracy. Without these rights, the integrity of participation and competition—vital aspects of the democratic system—cannot be guaranteed. The protection of human rights "is the best safeguard against the abuse of national power," it is argued, and only democratic government can guarantee their protection. 1994 October, Muthiah Alagappa, “Summary”, in Anne Stewart, editor, Democratic Transition in Asia: The Role of the International Community (East–West Center Special Reports; no. 3), Honolulu, Hi.: East–West Center, →OCLC, page 5
   The tradition that public policy would be democratic in its formulation was carried into the new democracy when the ANC [African National Congress] came to power in 1994. 2001, Gregory Houston, Ian Liebenberg, “Introduction”, in Gregory Houston, editor, Public Participation in Democratic Governance in South Africa, Pretoria, Gauteng: Human Sciences Research Council, page 9
   Beyond and in dialogue with the political and the economic, this active engagement and creative expression of the people constitutes authentic democratic process. 2005, “Introduction”, in Antonio F. Perez, Sémou Pathé Gueye, Fenggang Yang, editors, Civil Society as Democratic Practice (Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Change Series VII, Seminar, Culture and Values; 22), Washington, D.C.: Council for Research in Values and Philosophy, page 2
   Shepard: You have the right to your opinion, Mr. Saracino. But with all due respect, I disagree with it. Charles Saracino: I understand. I'm glad you support the democratic process, at least. 2008, BioWare, Mass Effect (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Citadel
   Both [Ze’ev] Jabotinsky and [David] Ben-Gurion also wrote songs of praise to the Ottoman Empire, its tolerance toward ethnic minorities in general—and to Jews in particular—as well as to the democratic changes it was undergoing. 21 July 2019, Meron Rapoport, “When Zionism Imagined Jewish Nationalism without Supremacy”, in +972 Magazine, Tel Aviv, Israel: 972 – Advancement of Citizen Journalism, archived from the original on 2021-08-10
2. Exhibiting social equality; egalitarian.
   "Oh, I hold with the framers of the Constitution, that all men are created free and equal; likewise, all boys and girls," said democratic Kitty; […] 1867 February, the author of “Watching and Waiting”, “Pauline”, in T[imothy] S[hay] Arthur, Virginia F[rancis] Townsend, editors, Arthur’s Home Magazine, volume XXIX, Philadelphia, Penn.: T. S. Arthur & Co., →OCLC, chapter III (Pauline’s First Experience in Boarding ’Round), page 109, column 1
3. (US, politics) Alternative letter-case form of Democratic (“of, pertaining to, or supporting the Democratic Party”)
   Mount Vernon is run by a strong democratic party organization.

noun

1. (chiefly in the plural, dated) Synonym of democrat (“a supporter of democracy; an advocate of democratic politics (originally (historical) as opposed to the aristocrats in Revolutionary France)”)
   This kingly government (as some call it) is a thing that our democraticks cannot brook: we are an undone people if we do not down with that. 1692, Gershom Bulkeley, “Will and Doom, or The Miseries of Connecticut by and under an Usurped and Arbitrary Power.[…]”, in Collections of the Connecticut Historical Society, volume III, Hartford, Conn.: […] [Connecticut Historical] Society, published 1895, →OCLC, page 195
   […] [Thomas] Fairfax was made general of all the forces both in England and Ireland; and Rainsbrough [i.e., Thomas Rainsborough], a leveller, and a violent head of the democraticks, high-admiral. 1760, Delahay Gordon, “The Life and Death of King Charles the First”, in A General History of the Lives, Trials, and Executions of All the Royal and Noble Personages, that have Suffered in Great-Britain and Ireland for High Treason, or Other Crimes, from the Accession of Henry VIII. to the Throne of England, down to the Present Time;[…], volume III, London: […] J. Burd,[…], page 440
   Several circumſtances have concurred to confirm the belief that this wretched lunatick was the identical Marquis de Brunoy, who had been buried in the gloom of a priſon for nine years, whilſt the world thought him dead. The mad democraticks began to ſpread reports that the Count de Provence was privy to this tranſaction; and that it was this Prince who had obtained the Lettre de Cachet, by virtue of which this wretched man had been ſo long deprived of the light of heaven. 10 October 1789, “Paris”, in I[ohann] W[ilhelm] von Archenholz, editor, The British Mercury, or Annals of History, Politics, Manners, Literature, Arts, etc. of the British Empire, volume XI, number 41, Hamburg: […] B. C. Hoffman, →OCLC, page 39
   For that equality among the multitude which democratics explore, is not only just among those of a similar rank but is advantageous. 1811, Aristotle, “The Politics. Book V. Chapter VIII.”, in Thomas Taylor, transl., The Great, and Eudemian, Ethics, the Politics, and Economics, of Aristotle.[…], London: […] Robert Wilks,[…], →OCLC, page 412
   He Lysander] now destroyed the democratics and popular constitutions in all the Greek cities which had been subject to Athens, placing a Lacedæmonian in each as harmost or governor, with a council of ten archons under him, composed of men selected from the political clubs which he had established. 1881, Plutarch, “Life of Lysander”, in Aubrey Stewart, George Long, transl., Plutarch’s Lives.[…], volume II, London: George Bell and Sons,[…], →OCLC, page 296