Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - republican

 geographical name river 445 miles (716 kilometers) Nebraska & Kansas rising in E Colorado & flowing E to unite with the Smoky Hill forming Kansas River REPUBLICAN  I. noun  Date: 1699  1. one that favors or supports a ~ form of government  2. capitalized  a. a member of a political party advocating ~ism  b. a member of the Democratic-Republican party or of the Republican party of the United States  II. adjective  Date: 1690  1.  a. of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a republic  b. favoring, supporting, or advocating a republic  c. belonging or appropriate to one living in or supporting a republic ~ simplicity  2. capitalized  a. Democratic-Republican  b. of, relating to, or constituting the one of the two major political parties evolving in the United States in the mid-19th century that is usually primarily associated with business, financial, and some agricultural interests and is held to favor a restricted governmental role in economic life