Democracy
Democracy (de*mok"rȧ*sy) , noun
[French démocratie, from Greek dhmokrati`a; dh^mos the people + kratei^n to be strong, to rule, kra`tos strength.]
1.
Government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained and directly exercised by the people.
2.
Government by popular representation; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but is indirectly exercised through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed; a constitutional representative government; a republic.
3.
Collectively, the people, regarded as the source of government. — Milton
4.
The principles and policy of the Democratic party, so called. [United States]