a combining form with the meaning “leader, bringer,” of that named by the initial element, occurring in loanwords from Greek (demagogue; pedagogue); used also in medical terms that denote substances inducing the expulsion or secretion of that named by the initial element (cholagogue; hemagogue).

What is the original meaning of the term demagogue?

The word demagogue, originally meaning a leader of the common people, was first coined in ancient Greece with no negative connotation, but eventually came to mean a troublesome kind of leader who occasionally arose in Athenian democracy.

What is Agogos Greek?

Both pedagogue and demagogue can trace their roots back to the Greek verb agogos, "leader," but the first element of each word leads them in different directions. Pedagogue comes from the Greek roots paid-, meaning "child," and agogos, "leader," because a paidagōgos in Greek was one who led children to school.