republic

n. [ F. république, L. respublica commonwealth; res a thing, an affair + publicus, publica, public. See Real, a., and Public. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Common weal. [ Obs. ] B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Republic of letters, The collective body of literary or learned men. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. républicain. ] 1. Of or pertaining to a republic. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Roman emperors were republican magistrates named by the senate. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Consonant with the principles of a republic; as, republican sentiments or opinions; republican manners. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who favors or prefers a republican form of government. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (U.S.Politics) A member of the Republican party. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Zool.) (a) The American cliff swallow. The cliff swallows build their nests side by side, many together. (b) A South African weaver bird (Philetaerus socius). These weaver birds build many nests together, under a large rooflike shelter, which they make of straw. [ 1913 Webster ]

Red republican. See under Red. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. républicanisme. ] 1. A republican form or system of government; the principles or theory of republican government. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Attachment to, or political sympathy for, a republican form of government. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The principles and policy of the Republican party, so called [ U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Republicanized p. pr. & vb. n. Republicanizing ] [ Cf. F. républicaniser. ] To change, as a state, into a republic; to republican principles; as, France was republicanized; to republicanize the rising generation. D. Ramsay. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Cf. LL. republicare. ] To make public again; to republish. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]