Meaning of oligarchy in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈɑləˌɡɑrki/

    US accent Play button

    UK accent Play button

  1. Noun

    oligarchy

    Etymology

    late 15th century: from Greek oligarkhia, from oligoi‘few’ and arkhein‘to rule’

    Definitions

    1. a political system governed by a few people

Famous quotes

  • « Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to that arrogant oligarchy who merely happen to be walking around. »
    Gilbert K. Chesterton
  • « Our authorities leave us no doubt that the trust lodged with the oligarchy was sometimes abused, but it certainly ought not to be regarded as a mere usurpation or engine of tyranny. »
    Henry James Sumner Maine
  • « But if there's an erosion at home, you know, Thomas Jefferson warned about a tyranny of an oligarchy and if we surrender our democracy to the tyranny of an oligarchy, we've made a terrible mistake. »
    Pat Robertson
  • « We must not tolerate oppressive government or industrial oligarchy in the form of monopolies and cartels. »
    Henry A. Wallace

Browse dictionary