DEMAGOGUE


Meaning of DEMAGOGUE in English

I. noun

also dem·a·gog ˈde-mə-ˌgäg

Etymology: Greek dēmagōgos, from dēmos people (perhaps akin to Greek daiesthai to divide) + agōgos 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 -ˌgä-g(ə-)rē noun

• dem·a·gogy -ˌgä-gē, -ˌgä-jē, -ˌgō-jē noun

II. verb

also demagog

( -gogued also -goged ; -gogu·ing also -gog·ing )

Date: 1656

intransitive verb

: to behave like a demagogue

transitive verb

: to treat (as an issue) in a demagogic manner

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.