From Merriam-Webster — REPUBLIC
a 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 governing according to law (2) : a political unit (such as a nation) having such a form of government c : a usually specified republican government of a political unit
From Dictionary.com
noun a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them. any body of persons viewed as a commonwealth. a state in which the head of government is not a monarch or other hereditary head of state.
From Wikipedia
A republic (from Latin res publica ‘public affair’) is a state in which political power rests with the public and their representatives, in contrast with a monarchy. [1] [2] Representation in a republic may or may not be freely elected by the general citizenry.
As you can see these definitions are in low-level conflict. According to one the right Monarchy can be a Republic and a Republic may or may not actually represent The Public. And a dictatorship can pass for a republic. I see no magic here.
More huzzahs and “worship words.” Like The Bible and The Constitution they seem to mean whatever the speaker wants them to mean.
PS: Republics:
Poland 1 July 1569 |Establishment of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth as a result of the Union of Lublin.
Lithuania 1 July 1569 |Establishment of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth as a result of the Union of Lublin.
Netherlands – 26 July 1581-- subsequently re-installed a monarchy but let’s face it, they’re a Republic
Switzerland 24 October 1648
And Wikipedia left out what I was always told was "The world’s oldest republic: San Marino. Oldest Constitution: 1600