See Also: aristocracy(dictionary)
aristocracy(encyclopedia)
aristocracy(dictionary)
ARISTOCRACY(law)

aristocracy (iou)



aristocracy noun. L15.
[Old & mod. French aristocratie from Greek aristokratia, from aristos best: see -CRACY.]
The government of a State by its best citizens. L15.
Government of a State by those who are most distinguished by birth and wealth; oligarchy; a State so governed. L16.
A ruling body of nobles, an oligarchy. E17.
The class to which such rulers belong, the nobility; the patrician or privileged class, regardless of the form of government. M17.
transf. & fig. The best representatives of any quality, skill, etc.; any privileged or elite group. M19.
G. B. Shaw The plays which constitute the genuine aristocracy of modern dramatic literature. G. M. Trevelyan The working class aristocracy, the engineers and the men of other skilled trades. B. Bainbridge He was convinced that physicians were an ignorant aristocracy kept afloat by witchcraft.