Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Bureaucracy \Bu*reau"cra*cy\, n. [Bureau + Gr. ? to be strong,
   to govern, ? strength: cf. F. bureaucratie.]
   1. A system of carrying on the business of government by
      means of departments or bureaus, each under the control of
      a chief, in contradiction to a system in which the
      officers of government have an associated authority and
      responsibility; also, government conducted on this system.

   2. Government officials, collectively.

Source : WordNet®

bureaucracy
     n : nonelective government officials [syn: {bureaucratism}]