Republic

Definition

Republic refers to a form of government where the country is considered a "public matter" and the head of state is an elected or appointed official, not a hereditary monarch.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /rɪˈpʌblɪk/
• Respelling: ri-PUB-lik (with "ri" as in "rid," "PUB" as in "public," and "lik" as in "lick")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /rɪˈpʌblɪk/
• Respelling: ri-PUB-lik (similar to American English, with "ri" as in "rid," "PUB" as in "public," and "lik" as in "lick")

In both dialects, "republic" is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable, "PUB." The pronunciation is consistent across both American and British English, providing a clear and straightforward phonetic structure.

Etymology

The term "republic" has its roots in the Latin term res publica, which directly translates to "public matter." The term was first known to be used in English during the 16th century, indicating a reference to the Roman Republic.

Derivatives

• Republican
• Republication
• Republicism
• Republicize
• Republically

Synonyms

• Commonwealth
• Federation
• Democracy

Antonyms

• Monarchy
• Dictatorship
• Autocracy

Usage

"Republic" is predominantly used in the context of government and political systems where it denotes a system wherein the authority comes from the people and not a monarch. It's a fundamental term in political science and historical narratives.

Related Terms

• Democracy
• Federalism
• Constitution
• Sovereignty
• Republication

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Political Entity: A state in which the head of government is elected, typically by the people, and where the political authority derives from the rule of law and the consent of the governed.‍
• Example: The United States of America is a republic.

• General Usage: A group or body of people with a shared interest or task operating under a particular (often simplified) system of governance.‍
• Example: The local co-operative was often jokingly referred to as the “vegetable republic”.