Definition: Aristocracy
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French aristocratie, from Medieval Latin aristocratia, from Ancient Greek ἀριστοκρατίᾱ (aristokratíā, meaning "the rule of the best," namely, "the best-born," "nobility"), from ἄριστος (áristos, "best, noblest") + -κρατίᾱ (-kratíā), from κράτος (krátos, "power, rule").
Noun
aristocracy (countable and uncountable, plural aristocracies)
- The nobility, or the hereditary ruling class
- Government by such a class, or a state with such a government
- A class of people considered (not normally universally) superior to others
Related terms
- aristocrat
- aristocratic
Credits
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