US Constitution
Wheel of Fortune intro
e:\history\two\const\const.wf
Democracy. A nine-letter word derived
from Greek which refers to a government in
which the supreme power is vested in the
people and exercised by them directly or
indirectly through a system of representation,
usually through a system of free elections. A
governmental system where the common
people constitute the source of political
authority. A government, which lack
arbitrary class distinctions or privileges.
Government for the people instead of the
people for the government.
Constitution. A twelve-letter word derived
from Latin meaning an established law or
custom. The act of establishing a
government. A document which establishes,
enacts, constructs, structures, outlines and
defines, a sovereign government. A
document, which organizes, and establishes
the sovereign powers of a government. The
basic framework of a government. The legal
document which organizes society and
defines the basic principals and laws of a
nation. The basic principals and laws of a
nation that determines the powers and duties
of government and guarantees certain rights
to the people in it. A written instrument
which embodies the rules of a political
organization.
Right. A five-letter word derived from
1
Greek, which refers to something to which
one has a just claim. The power or privilege
to which one is justly entitled. A property
interest which is possessed under law or
custom. The cause of truth or justice.
Government. A ten-letter word derived
from Greek, which refers to the act or process
of exercising authoritative direction or
control over a society. The continuous
exercise of authority over and the
performance and functions for a political unit.
The political functions of policy making as
distinguished from the administration of
policy decision. The organization, machinery
or agency through which a political unit
exercises authority and performs functions,
and which is usually classified according to
the distribution of power within it. The
complex of political institutions, laws and
customs through which the function of
political power is carried out in a specific
political unit. The body of persons that
constitutes the rule making authority of a
political organization. A small group of
persons who hold simultaneously the
principal political executive officers of a
nation or other political unit and being
responsible for the direction and supervision
of public affairs.
Republic. An eight-letter word derived from
Latin which refers to a government, which
has a chief of state who is not a monarch, and
who in modern times is usually a president.
A form of government in which supreme
power resides in a body of citizens entitled to
vote and is exercised by elected officers and
representatives responsible to them and
2
governing according to law. A body of a
political unit where the people are freely
engaged in government themselves. A
government of the people, by the people and
for the people. A government where ultimate
political authority and responsibility resides
in the people.
Anarchy. A seven-letter word derived from
Greek, which refers to an absence of
government. A state of lawlessness or
political disorder due to the absence of
governmental authority. A utopian society
made up of individuals who have no
government and who enjoy complete
freedom. An absence of order and lawless
behavior caused by the absence of
government. Man in the state of nature.
Law. A three-letter word derived from Old
English which refers to a binding custom or
practice in a community. A rule of conduct
or action which is prescribed or formally
recognized as binding or enforce by a
controlling authority. A rule or order that is
advisable or obligatory to observe. A binding
piece of legislation which provides criminal,
monetary or other penalties for their violation
thereof.
Tyrant. A six-letter word derived from
Greek, which refers to an absolute ruler. A
ruler who is unrestrained by law or
constitution. An usurper of sovereignty. A
ruler who exercises absolute power
oppressively or brutally. An oppressive
power wielded by a dictator.
Dictator. An eight-letter word derived from
Latin which refers to a person who is granted
absolute emergency power. One who holds
3
complete autocratic control. One who rules
absolutely and often oppressively. A head of
state that rules without checks and balances.
A ruler who makes policy without input from
the people or other governmental institutions.
A government where the will of the people is
ignored.
Monarchy. An eight-letter word derived
from Latin, which refers to an undivided rule
or absolute sovereignty by a single person. A
nation or state which has a king as its ruler. A
government, which has a heredity chief of
state with life tenure and powers varying
from nominal to absolute.
Federalism. A ten-letter word derived from
Latin which refers to a formal compact
between political units that surrender their
individual sovereignty to a central authority
but retain limited residuary powers of
government. A form of government in which
power is distributed between a central
authority and a number of constituent
territorial units. In the United States is refers
to the relationship between the national
government and the respective state
governments.
Checks. A six-letter word derived from
Greek, which refers to a reprimand, rebuke,
restraint, or limit on the exercise of power. A
slowing, braking, blocking, diminishing or
restraining of authority. A policy halted
through caution, uncertainty, fear or safety.
A restrain on the use of power.
Balances. A seven-letter word derived from
Old English which refers to a means for
judging or deciding. A counter-balancing
weight force or influence. A countervailing
4
force which equalizes or opposes another
political force.
Powers. A six-letter word derived from
Latin, which refers to one who possesses
control, authority or influence over others. A
political group who exercises sovereign
control over others. The ability to act or to
produce a result. The capacity for being
acted upon or undergoing an effect. The legal
or official authority, capacity or right to act.
The ability to produce results.
Political. A nine-letter word derived from
Latin which refers to an act, which relates to
the conduct of government. An act, which
relates to the policy making as opposed to the
administration of governmental policy. The
art of the possible in governmental affairs.
An act which concerns government and the
use of sovereign power.
Sovereign. A nine-letter word derived from
Latin, which refers to the person who
exercises supreme political authority. One
who exercises supreme power over a body
politic. The person or body who has the
legitimate right to rule.
Congress. An eight-letter word derived from
Latin which refers to the act of coming
together and meeting. A formal meeting of
delegates for discussion and usually action on
some question. The supreme legislative body
of a nation, and especially a republic. An
association usually made up of delegates for
constituent organizations.
Legislature. An eleven-letter word derived
from Latin, which refers to a body of persons
who have the power to make laws. An
organized body which has the authority to
5
make laws for a political unit.
Parliament. A ten-letter word derived from
French which refers to a formal conference
for the discussion of public affairs. A council
of state in early medieval England. An
assemblage of the nobility, clergy and
commons called together by the British
sovereign as the supreme legislative body in
the United Kingdom.
Judicial. An eight-letter word derived from
Latin, which refers to something, which
belongs to the branch of government that is
charged with trying all cases that involve the
government and with the administration of
justice within its jurisdiction. A body of
government, which enforces the law, decides
points of law and decides issues of fact.
Executive. A nine-letter word derived for
French which refers to the body of
government, which carries out or executes
policy. Something, which belongs to the
branch of government that is charged with
such, powers as diplomatic relations,
superintendence of the execution of laws and
appointment of officials, and usually has a
veto power over legislation.
President. A nine-letter word derived from
Latin which refers to a government official
who is chosen to preside over a meeting or
assembly. The chief executive officer of an
organization who is usually entrusted with
the direction and administration of its
policies. An elected official who serves as
both chief of state and chief political officer
in a republic.
Court. A five-letter word derived from
Latin, which refers to a sovereign formal
6
assembly where judges decide questions of
law. A legal building where judges and
attorneys litigate legal questions and hold
trials.
Federalist. A ten-letter word derived from
Latin which refers to a member of the major
political party in the early years of the United
States, who favored a strong centralized
government. A member of the first US
political party who advocated a strong
national government and an active role in
trade, law enforcement, military and the
National Bank.
Republican. A ten-letter word derived from
Latin, which refers to one of the two major
political parties which evolved in the US in
the mid-19th century. They were primarily
associated with business, financial and some
agricultural interests. They favored a
restricted governmental role in social and
economic life. They were founded by
Thomas Jefferson to oppose the privileged
rich strong central government advocates
known as the Federalist party.
Rich. A four-letter word derived from Old
Irish, which refers to someone who has
abundant possessions, especially material
wealth. A person who is well supplied with
money. A wealthy person who has the
money and power to influence governmental
affairs.
Poor. A four-letter word derived from Latin
which refers to someone who lacks material
possessions. A person who has a meager
amount of money or financial worth. A
person who lives below the poverty line.
Privileges. A ten-letter word derived from
7
Latin, which refers to a right, or immunity
which is granted as a particular benefit,
advantage or favor, accorded to the wealthy.
A person who is not subject to rules or
penalties because of a special circumstance,
which is generally tied to money, influence or
political power.
Treaty. A six-letter word derived from Latin
which refers to an agreement or arrangement
which is made through a series of
negotiations. An international agreement
which binds two nations. A contract in
writing, which is signed by two or more
political authorities. A formal agreement
between two sovereign powers.
8