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republic

re·pub·lic [ ri púbblik ] (plural re·pub·lics)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. political system with elected representatives: a political system or form of government in which people elect representatives to exercise power for them

2. state with elected representatives: a country or other political unit whose government or political system is that of a republic

3. unit within larger country: a constituent political and territorial unit of a national federation or union

4. group with collective interests: a group of people who are considered to be equals and who have a collective interest, objective, or vocation ( formal )
the republic of letters

[Late 16th century. Via French république< Latin res publica "public matter"]

Cultural Note

The Republic, a political treatise (early 4th century bc) by the Greek philosopher Plato. Presented in the form of a series of dialogues between Socrates and his pupils, it begins with a discussion of the nature of justice that leads in turn to an attempt to define the ideal society. For Plato, this would consist of an aristocracy run by a class of legislators groomed for leadership by a state education system.

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