Oligarchy

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈɒlɪɡɑːki/
• US enPR: älʹĭ-gär'kÄ“, IPA: /ˈɑːlɪˌɡɑrki/, /ˈoÊŠlɪˌɡɑrki/

Origin

From French oligarchie, from Latin oligarchia, from Ancient Greek ὀλιγαρχία, from ὀλίγος (oligos, "few") + ἀρχή (archē, "rule").

From - + archy + -

Noun

1. A government run by only a few, often the wealthy.
2. Those who make up an oligarchic government.
3. A state ruled by such a government.

Related terms

• oligarch
• oligarchic
• oligarchical