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pentarchy

[ pen-tahr-kee ]

noun

, plural pen·tar·chies.
  1. a government by five persons.
  2. a governing body of five persons.
  3. a federation of five nations, each under its own government or ruler.


pentarchy

/ ˈpɛntɑːkɪ /

noun

  1. government by five rulers
  2. a ruling body of five
  3. a union or association of five kingdoms, provinces, etc, each under its own ruler
  4. a country ruled by a body of five


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Derived Forms

  • penˈtarchical, adjective

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Other Words From

  • pentarch noun
  • pen·tarchi·cal adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of pentarchy1

From the Greek word pentarchía, dating back to 1580–90; pent-, -archy

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Example Sentences

In 1846 Russia was the first power of Europe, and at a great distance ahead of all other members of the Pentarchy.

But, as in the Saxon times this country was an heptarchy, it is now a strange sort of pentarchy.

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