SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

diarchy

noun di·ar·chy

less common spelling of dyarchy

: a government in which power is vested in two rulers or authorities

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Learn More about diarchy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about diarchy

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up diarchy? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

slew

play

a large number

Words at Play

All the Hits

8 obscure words for bodily harm

alt-5adf93a49b0b2

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

"In point" only lives in this phrase.

alt-5adf5d017e6bf

‘Sleight’ or ‘Slight’ of Hand?

Watch closely and be amazed.

alt-5ade0f1ca7a0c

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

The distinction is clear (now).

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally

Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz

cats-on-impossible-timber

More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz

True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Take the quiz

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game