Definition of Aristocracy. Meaning of Aristocracy. Synonyms of Aristocracy
Here you will find one or more explanations in English for the word Aristocracy.
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Definition of Aristocracy
Aristocracy Aristocracy Ar`is*toc"ra*cy, n.; pl. Aristocracies. [Gr. ?;
? best + ? to be strong, to rule, ? strength; ? is perh. from
the same root as E. arm, and orig. meant fitting: cf. F.
aristocratie. See Arm, and Create, which is related to
Gr. ?.]
1. Government by the best citizens.
2. A ruling body composed of the best citizens. [Obs.]
In the Senate Right not our quest in this, I will
protest them To all the world, no aristocracy. --B.
Jonson.
3. A form a government, in which the supreme power is vested
in the principal persons of a state, or in a privileged
order; an oligarchy.
The aristocracy of Venice hath admitted so many
abuses, trough the degeneracy of the nobles, that
the period of its duration seems approach. --Swift.
4. The nobles or chief persons in a state; a privileged class
or patrician order; (in a popular use) those who are
regarded as superior to the rest of the community, as in
rank, fortune, or intellect.
