n.
Variant: also dem · a · gog
Pronunciation: ' de-m ə - ˌ gäg
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek d ē mag ō gos, from d ē mos people (perh. akin to Greek daiesthai to divide) + ag ō gos leading, from agein to lead ― more at TIDE , AGENT
Date: 1648
1 : a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power
2 : a leader championing the cause of the common people in ancient times
– dem · a · gogu · ery \ - ˌ gä-g( ə -)r ē \ noun
– dem · a · gogy \ - ˌ gä-g ē , - ˌ gä-j ē , - ˌ g ō -j ē \ noun