Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

aristocracy

 - 4 dictionary results
Noble Titles for Sale
Lordships, Baronies, Knighthoods Join the World of the Privileged
www.GrandDukeDom.info

ar⋅is⋅toc⋅ra⋅cy

  [ar-uh-stok-ruh-see]
Use aristocracy in a Sentence
–noun, plural -cies.
1. a class of persons holding exceptional rank and privileges, esp. the hereditary nobility.
2. a government or state ruled by an aristocracy, elite, or privileged upper class.
3. government by those considered to be the best or most able people in the state.
4. a governing body composed of those considered to be the best or most able people in the state.
5. any class or group considered to be superior, as through education, ability, wealth, or social prestige.
Origin:
1555–65; (< MF aristocratie) < ML aristocracia (var. of -tia) < Gk aristokratía rule of the best. See aristo-, -cracy
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To aristocracy
Noble Titles for Sale
Lordships, Baronies, Knighthoods Join the World of the Privileged
www.GrandDukeDom.info
ar·is·toc·ra·cy   (ār'ĭ-stŏk'rə-sē)   
n.   pl. ar·is·toc·ra·cies

  1. A hereditary ruling class; nobility.

    1. Government by a ruling class.

    2. A state or country having this form of government.

    3. Government by the citizens deemed to be best qualified to lead.

    4. A state having such a government.

    1. Government by the citizens deemed to be best qualified to lead.

    2. A state having such a government.

  4. A group or class considered superior to others.


[Late Latin aristocratia, government by the best, from Greek aristokratiā : aristos, best; see ar- in Indo-European roots + -kratiā, -cracy.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

aristocracy

A privileged, primarily hereditary ruling class, or a form of government controlled by such an elite.

Note: Traditionally, the disproportionate concentration of wealth, social status, and political influence in the aristocracy has been resented by the middle class and lower class.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

aristocracy 
1561, from L.L. aristocratia, from Gk. aristokratia "government, rule of the best," from aristos "best" (originally "most fitting," from PIE *ar-isto-, superlative form of *ar- "to fit together") + kratos "rule, power" (see -cracy). At first in a literal sense; meaning "rule by a privileged class (best-born or best-favored by fortune)" is from 1577 and became paramount 17c. Hence, the meaning "patrician order" (1651); and aristocratic "grand, stylish" (1845). In early use contrasted with monarchy; after Fr. and Amer. revolutions, with democracy. Aristocrat first recorded 1789, from Fr. aristocrate.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see aristocracy on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way