autocracy
noun /ɔːˈtɒkrəsi/
/ɔːˈtɑːkrəsi/
(plural autocracies)
(also autarchy)
- [uncountable] a system of government of a country in which one person has complete power
- [countable] a country that is ruled by one person who has complete power
Word Originmid 17th cent. (in the sense ‘autonomy’): from Greek autokrateia, from autokratēs, from autos ‘self’ + kratos ‘power’.