timocracy

UK: /taɪˈmɒkrəsɪ/ US: (tī mok′rə sē)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ti•moc•ra•cy  (tī mok′rə sē), n., pl. -cies. 

1. Government a form of government in which love of honor is the dominant motive of the rulers.
2. Government a form of government in which a certain amount of property is requisite as a qualification for office.

• Greek tīmokratía, equivalent. to tīmo- (combining form of tīmé̄ honor, worth) + -kratia -cracy
• French)
• 1580–90; earlier timocratie (

ti•mo•crat•ic  (tī′mə krat′ik), ti′mo•crat′i•cal, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

timocracy / taɪˈmɒkrəsɪ/ noun ( -cies)

1. a political unit or system in which possession of property serves as the first requirement for participation in government
2. a political unit or system in which love of honour is deemed the guiding principle of government

Etymology: 16th Century: from Old French tymocracie, ultimately from Greek timokratia, from timē worth, honour, price + -cracy