REPUBLIC
Re*pub"lic (r-pb"lk), n. Etym: [F. république, L. respublica
commonwealth; res a thing, an affair + publicus, publica, public. See
Real, a., and Public.]
1. Common weal. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
2. A state in which the sovereign power resides in the whole body of the people, and is exercised by representatives elected by them; a commonwealth. Cf. Democracy, 2.
Note: In some ancient states called republics the sovereign power was exercised by an hereditary aristocracy or a privileged few, constituting a government now distinctively called an aristocracy. In some there was a division of authority between an aristocracy and the whole body of the people except slaves. No existing republic recognizes an exclusive privilege of any class to govern, or tolerates the institution of slavery. Republic of letters, The collective body of literary or learned men.
REPUBLICAN
Re*pub"lic*an (-l-kan), a. Etym: [F. républicain.]
1. Of or pertaining to a republic. The Roman emperors were republican magistrates named by the senate. Macaulay.
2. Consonant with the principles of a republic; as, republican sentiments or opinions; republican manners. Republican party. (U.S. Politics) (a) An earlier name of the Democratic party when it was opposed to the Federal party. Thomas Jefferson was its great leader. (b) One of the existing great parties. It was organized in 1856 by a combination of voters from other parties for the purpose of opposing the extension of slavery, and in 1860 it elected Abraham Lincoln president.
REPUBLICAN
Re*pub"lic*an (r-pb"l-kan), n.
1. One who favors or prefers a republican form of government.
2. (U.S.Politics)