aristocracy
Pronunciation: /ˌarɪˈstɒkrəsi/
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(usually the aristocracy) [ treated as singular or plural]
Definition of aristocracy
noun ( plural aristocracies)
(usually the aristocracy)Origin:
late 15th century: from Old French aristocratie, from Greek aristokratia, from aristos 'best' + -kratia 'power'. The term originally denoted the government of a state by its best citizens, later by the rich and well born, hence the sense 'nobility', regardless of the form of government (mid 17th century)
