Plutocrat

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A person of great wealth whose financial assets enable them to significantly impact governmental policy and social dynamics
2. An affluent individual whose monetary power grants them considerable sway in socio-political realms and decision-making processes
3. A wealthy individual whose financial influence allows them to exert substantial control over political systems and societal issues

Etymology: Ancient Greek gave English this word in two halves. "Ploûtos" meant "wealth" or "riches," and "krátos" meant "power" or "might," the same root that appears in "democracy" and "aristocracy." Put together, "plutocracy" named a system in which the wealthy rule. "Plutocrat" was built from that base with the ending "-crat," which marks a person who holds or exercises such power, so a plutocrat is someone whose money gives them rule. The word's pattern is a clear example of how English builds new terms from classical parts. The noun "plutocracy" came first, and "plutocrat" followed from it, following the same model as "democrat" from "democracy." Because the second element, "-crat," is the same as in "bureaucrat," the word reads naturally as a person who wields a particular kind of authority, here authority conferred by wealth.

Synonyms: wealthy person, tycoon

Antonyms: pauper