Main Entry: mon·ar·chy

Pronunciation: \ˈmä-nər-kē also -ˌnär-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural mon·ar·chies

Date: 14th century

1 : undivided rule or absolute sovereignty by a single person
2 : a nation or state having a monarchical government
3 : a government having a hereditary chief of state with life tenure and powers varying from nominal to absolute