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Webster 1913 Edition


Oligarchy

Ol′i-gar′chy

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Oligarchies
(#)
.
[Gr. [GREEK];
ὀλίγοσ
few, little +
ἄρχειν
to rule, govern: cf. F.
oligarchie
.]
A form of government in which the supreme power is placed in the hands of a few persons; also, those who form the ruling few.
All
oligarchies
, wherein a few men domineer, do what they list.
Burton.

Definition 2024


oligarchy

oligarchy

English

Noun

oligarchy (plural oligarchies)

  1. A government run by only a few, often the wealthy.
    • 2016 January 17, "Wealthy cabals run America," Al Jazeera America (retrieved 18 January 2016):
      The Itasca Project is just one example of existing oligarchy, and a surprisingly open one at that.
  2. Those who make up an oligarchic government.
  3. A state ruled by such a government.

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