hegemony

Meaning

Noun

• Domination, influence, or authority over another, especially by one political group over a society or by one nation over others.
• Dominance of one social group over another, such that the ruling group or hegemon acquires some degree of consent from the subordinate, as opposed to dominance purely by force.

Origin

• From Ancient Greek ἡγεμονία ("supremacy or leadership, chief command"), from ἡγεμών, from ἡγέομαι. Early 19th-century usage influenced by German Hegemonie.