Republic of letters

Republic of letters
Republic Re*pub"lic (r?-p?b"l?k), n. [F. r['e]publique, 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]

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. [1913 Webster]

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


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Republic of Letters — is a phrase describing the phenomenon of increased correspondence in the form of letters exchanged between the influential philosophers and other thinkers during the Age of Enlightenment. It is commonly used to denote a notion of an imaginary… …   Wikipedia

  • republic of letters — 1. the collective body of literary people. 2. literature. [1695 1705] * * * republic of letters noun The world of books and authors • • • Main Entry: ↑republic * * * republic of letters, 1. all people engaged in literary or learned work. 2. the …   Useful english dictionary

  • republic of letters — 1. the collective body of literary people. 2. literature. [1695 1705] * * * …   Universalium

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  • The Republic of Letters — was a publishing endeavor by George Routledge Sons in the mid 1920s in London. Edited by William Rose, this series of books focused on interesting and significant poets, dramatists and novelists. In addition to containing biographical information …   Wikipedia

  • Republic — Re*pub lic (r? p?b l?k), n. [F. r[ e]publique, 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • republic — [ri pub′lik] n. [MFr république < L respublica < res, thing, affair, interest (see REAL1) + publica, fem. of publicus,PUBLIC] 1. a) a state or nation in which the supreme power rests in all the citizens entitled to vote (the electorate) and …   English World dictionary

  • letters — Synonyms and related words: French literature, IPA, ITA, Initial Teaching Alphabet, International Phonetic Alphabet, Renaissance literature, account, alphabet, alphabetics, ancient literature, annals, belles lettres, bibliolatry, bibliomania,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • republic — noun Etymology: French république, from Middle French republique, from Latin respublica, from res thing, wealth + publica, feminine of publicus public more at real, public Date: 1604 1. a. (1) a government having a chief of state who is not a… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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