User talk:WHEELER/Classical definition of republic

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[edit] republic confusion

I got the idea tht republic meant 'constitutional republic' in the classic sense, that I interpreted to be a contrast to tyrannical or autocratic rule. But then I read the oxford english dictionary and the etymology to res publica and became convinced I was wrong (the oxford english dictionary definition is more or less paraphrased in republic). How do you account for the shift in words from 'politea' to 'res publica'...