kleptocracy — (n.) rule by a class of thieves, 1819, originally in reference to Spain; see KLEPTOMANIA (Cf. kleptomania) + CRACY (Cf. cracy) … Etymology dictionary
kleptocracy — [klep täk′rə sē] n. pl. kleptocracies [< klept (see KLEPTOMANIA + O + CRACY] a political regime whose members make flagrantly dishonest use of their official position for personal gain kleptocrat [klep′tə krat΄] n. kleptocratic adj … English World dictionary
Kleptocracy — Part of the Politics series Basic forms of government Aristocracy Autocracy … Wikipedia
kleptocracy — noun (plural cies) Date: 1819 government by those who seek chiefly status and personal gain at the expense of the governed; also a particular government of this kind • kleptocrat noun • kleptocratic adjective … New Collegiate Dictionary
kleptocracy — noun A corrupt and dishonest government characterised by greed. Syn: kleptarchy … Wiktionary
kleptocracy — government by thieves Forms of Government … Phrontistery dictionary
kleptocracy — n. corrupt government that takes a exorbitant amount of tax money from its citizens … English contemporary dictionary
kleptocracy — klep·toc·ra·cy … English syllables
kleptocracy — klep•toc•ra•cy [[t]klɛpˈtɒk rə si[/t]] n. pl. cies. cvb a government or state in which those in power exploit national resources and steal; rule by a thief or thieves • Etymology: 1815–20; < Gk klépt(ēs) thief + o + cracy klep•to•crat•ic ˌklɛp … From formal English to slang
kleptocracy — /klɛpˈtɒkrəsi/ (say klep tokruhsee) noun a governing group who steal from the population as a whole to increase their own wealth or power. {Greek kleptēs thief + cracy} –kleptocrat, noun –kleptocratic, adjective …