See Also: oligarchy(dictionary)
oligarchy(encyclopedia)
oligarchy(dictionary)
OLIGARCHY(law)

oligarchy (iou)



oligarchy noun. Also (earlier) in Latin form oligarchia. L15.
[Old & mod. French oligarchie or medieval Latin oligarchia from Greek oligarkhia, formed as OLIGARCH noun: see -ARCHY.]
(A form of) government by a small group of people; the members of such a government; a State governed in this way.
transf.: Observer The Civil Service is a self-perpetuating oligarchy, and what better system is there?