Main Entry: ar·is·toc·ra·cy

Pronunciation: \ˌa-rə-ˈstä-krə-sē, ˌer-ə-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural ar·is·toc·ra·cies

Etymology: Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French aristocratie, from Late Latin aristocratia, from Greek aristokratia, from aristos best + -kratia -cracy

Date: 1561

1 : government by the best individuals or by a small privileged class
2 a : a government in which power is vested in a minority consisting of those believed to be best qualified b : a state with such a government
3 : a governing body or upper class usually made up of a hereditary nobility
4 : the aggregate of those believed to be superior