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oligarchy

ol·i·gar·chy [ ólli grkee ] (plural ol·i·gar·chies)

noun

Definition:

1. small governing group: a small group of people who together govern a nation or control an organization, often for their own purposes

2. entity ruled by oligarchy: a nation governed or an organization controlled by an oligarchy

3. government by small group: government or control by a small group of people

[Late 15th century. Via French or medieval Latin< Greek oligarkhia< oligos "few" + -arkhia "-archy" (see -arch)]

ol·i·gar·chic [ òlli grkik ] adjective

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