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Glite Dictionary
thalassocracy

thalassocracy

1 9.9
A country that becomes powerful by controlling the sea and trade by sea
  • noun
  • /θəˌlæsəˈkrɑːsɪ/
  • Specialized
: talasocracia
  • The rise of the Venetian thalassocracy was marked by its extensive merchant fleet and naval power.

Examples

  • According to Thucydides, he also established the first thalassocracy, or maritime empire.

    Academic text (2010)

  • The ancient Greeks founded a strong thalassocracy that dominated trade across the Mediterranean Sea.

  • Historians often study the impact of the British thalassocracy on global trade during the 19th century.

Surface Forms

thalassocracy singular
thalassocracies plural

Morphology

thalassocracy = thalasso + cracy

The word is built from classical combining forms meaning 'sea' and 'rule', but these parts are not likely to be recognized by an average B1 learner.

Etymology

The word thalassocracy comes from the Greek parts thalassa 'sea' and kratos 'rule', the same kratos you find in democracy. So a thalassocracy is 'rule of the sea', a state whose power comes from control of ships and sea trade.