n. (pl. -ies) 1 a the highest class in society; the nobility. b the nobility as a ruling class. 2 a government by the nobility or a privileged group. b a State governed in this way. 3 (often foll. by of) the best representatives or upper echelons (aristocracy of intellect; aristocracy of labour).
[ F aristocratie f. Gk aristokratia f. aristos best + kratia (as -CRACY) ]