| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|krad.]ik, -at], ]ēk also ]ək adjective
also dem·o·crat·i·cal ]ə̇kəl, ]ēk-
Etymology: democratic from Middle French democratique, from Medieval Latin democraticus, from Greek dēmokratikos, from dēm- dem- + -kratikos -cratic; democratical from Middle French democratique + English -al
1.
a. : favoring, characterized by, or based upon the principles of democracy
no church constitution has proved in practice so democratic as that of Scotland — J.R.Green
b. : of, relating to, or favoring a political system in which the supreme power is held and exercised by the people
a democratic country
— opposed to authoritarian
2. often capitalized : of or relating to one of the two major political parties in the United States evolving in the early 19th century from the anti-Federalists and the Democratic-Republican party and associated in modern times with policies of broad social reform and internationalism in foreign affairs — compare republican 2b
3. : relating or appealing to or having the characteristics of the broad masses of the people
a democratic art
4. : favoring or disposed to favor social equality : disregarding or overcoming class distinctions : not snobbish or socially exclusive
democratic tastes
bombs are completely democratic . They are no respecters of persons, and do not distinguish between a hovel and a mansion — John Mason Brown
5. : favoring the assessment of individuals upon their own merits and capacities : emphasizing the individual's potentiality for development
promotion in industry along democratic lines
• dem·o·crat·i·cal·ly ]ə̇k(ə)lē, ]ēk-, -li adverb