Definition of ARISTOCRACY

aristocracy

Meanings

Plural: aristocracies

Noun

  • a privileged class holding hereditary titles
  • the most powerful members of a society
  • The nobility, or the hereditary ruling class.
  • Government by such a class, or a state with such a government.
  • A class of people considered (not normally universally) superior to others.

Origin / Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French aristocratie, from Medieval Latin aristocratia, from Ancient Greek ἀριστοκρατίᾱ (aristokratíā, “the rule of the best“, that is, “the best-born”, “nobility”), from ἄριστος (áristos, “best, noblest”) + -κρατίᾱ (-kratíā), from κράτος (krátos, “power, rule”). By surface analysis, aristo- + -cracy.

Synonyms

gentry, nobility

Scrabble Score: 18

aristocracy is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
aristocracy is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
aristocracy is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 19

aristocracy is a valid Words With Friends word