autocracy, autocrasy

[In Ger. autokratie; Fr. autocratie; from Gr. αὐτοκράτεια ( autokrateia ), from αὐτός ( autos ) = self, απα' κράτος ( kratos ) = (1) strength, might, (2) power.] L. Literally : 1. Of a ruler: Power or authority, the limits of which nominally depend solely on one's own will. "... who believe that an autocracy is nece ary for the accomplishment of an object which they, at the moment, hold to be of paramount importance, Lewis: Early Rom . Hist ., ch. xii., pt. iii., § 54. 2. Of a state : Independence of other states; po e ion of the right of self-government, with the ability to vindicate it if it be called in question. ( Barlow .) II. Fig .: Independent and controlling power over anything. "Another influence has favoured the establishment of this autocracy among the faculties." Herbert Spencer: Psychol ., 2nd ed., vol. ii., p. 314, § 389. âu-to-crăt, tâu-to-crăte, s . [In Dan. autocrat; Dut. autokraat ; Ger. autokrat ; Fr. auto crate; Gr. αὐτοκρατής ( autokrates ), adj. = ruling by one's self: αὐτός ( autos ) = self, and κρατέω ( krateō ) = (1) to be strong, (2) to rule; κράτος ( kratos ) = (1) strength, (2) power.] Properly, one ruling by his own power, a sovereign of uncontrolled authority; an absolute ruler. Specially I. Formerly. Among the old A then i ans : A designation sometimes given to particular generals or amba adors when they were invested with almost absolute authority. II. Now: 1. Any absolute sovereign, especially the Emperor of Ru ia. the autocrat of the immense region stretching from the confines of Sweden to those of China,..."Macaulay: Hist . Eng . , ch, xxiii. 2. Half sarcastically: A person who rules with undisputed sway in a company or other a ociation. and he was thenceforth the autocrat of the Company."-Macaulay: Hist . Eng . , ch. xviii. âu-to-crăt-ic, âu-to-crăt-i-cal, adj . [Eng. autocrat; -ic, -ical. In Fr. autocrat i que ; Gr. αὐτοκρατής ( autokrates ) = ruling by one's self, absolute.] Pertaining to autocracy; absolute in power, or at least nominally so. âu-to-crăt-i-cal-ly, adv . [Eng autocrat i cally . ] After the manner of an autocrat: agreeably to one's own will, and that only.