plural oligarchies
Definition of oligarchy
1
: government by the few
The corporation is ruled by oligarchy.
2
: a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes
a military oligarchy was established in the country
also
: a group exercising such control
An oligarchy ruled the nation.
3
: an organization under oligarchic control
That country is an oligarchy.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for oligarchy
The first known use of oligarchy was in 1542
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