Plural of democracy; systems of government where power ultimately rests with the people, exercised through voting and representation.
From Greek demokratia (demos people + kratos power/rule). Coined in ancient Greece around 500 BCE as Athens developed the first democracy.
Ancient Athenian democracy invented ostracism—voting to exile unpopular leaders for 10 years by writing names on pottery shards—showing early democracies used radical tools to prevent tyranny.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.