ARISTOCRACY


Meaning of ARISTOCRACY in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˌa-rə-ˈstä-krə-sē, ˌer-ə- ]

noun

( plural -cies )

Etymology: Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French aristocratie, from Late Latin aristocratia, from Greek aristokratia, from aristos best + -kratia -cracy

Date: 1561

1. : government by the best individuals or by a small privileged class

2.

a. : a government in which power is vested in a minority consisting of those believed to be best qualified

b. : a state with such a government

3. : a governing body or upper class usually made up of a hereditary nobility

4. : the aggregate of those believed to be superior

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.