Webster's English Dictionary

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bureaucracy

bu.reau.cra.cy \byu.-'ra:k-r*-se-\ n [F bureaucratie, fr. bureau + -cratie 
   -cracy] 1a: a body of nonelective government officials  1b: an 
   administrative policy-making group  2: government characterized by 
   specialization of functions, adherence to fi xed rules, and a hierarchy of 
   authority 3: a system of administration marked by officialism, red tape, 
   and prolifer ation