au ‧ toc ‧ ra ‧ cy /ɔːˈtɒkrəsi $ ɒːˈtɑː-/ BrE AmE noun ( plural autocracies )
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Greek ; Origin: autokrateia , from auto- ( ⇨ ↑ auto- ) + -krateia ( , ↑ -cracy ) ]
1 . [uncountable] a system of government in which one person or group has unlimited power SYN dictatorship
2 . [countable] a country or organization that is completely controlled by one powerful person or group SYN dictatorship