κρατώ

Etymology: From Ancient Greek κρατέω (kratéō), meaning 'to rule, govern, hold power'. The root is κράτος (krátos) meaning 'strength, power', which appears in English words like 'democracy' (rule by the people), 'aristocracy' (rule by the best), and 'bureaucracy' (rule by offices). The semantic shift from 'to rule/have power over' to 'to hold/keep' shows how possession and control are conceptually linked.