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)

1. The nobility, or the hereditary ruling class
2. Government by such a class, or a state with such a government
3. A class of people considered (not normally universally) superior to others

Related terms

• aristocrat
• aristocratic

Credits

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