Oligarchy

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Oligarchy \Ol"i*gar"chy\, n.; pl. {Oligarchies}. [Gr. ?;
     'oli`gos few, little + 'a`rchein 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.


     [1913 Webster]
  
           All oligarchies, wherein a few men domineer, do what
           they list.                               --Burton.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  oligarchy
       n : a political system governed by a few people