Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The science of wealth or riches.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun An economy that is significantly influenced by the very wealthy.
  • noun The study of the production and distribution of wealth.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Blend of plutocracy and economy, from Ancient Greek roots πλοῦτος (ploutos, "wealth") + νόμος (nomos, "law") (English -nomy).

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Examples

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  • "We are shown a leaked Citigroup memo that boasts of the results of Wall Street's unbridled profiteering. America has become a plutonomy, the memo gloats, where 1 percent of the population effectively owns and controls everything that goes on."

    - Brian Jones, Capitalism, we're through, socialistworker.org, 2 October 2009.

    October 2, 2009

  • Deluded, resentful, they throng to see

    His orgy of bombastic bonhomie.

    The whole horde agrees

    To be worker bees

    And strive in the hive of plutonomy.

    August 2, 2018