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polyarchy

noun poly·ar·chy \ -kē \

Definition of polyarchy

plural -es
1 : government by many persons : control of especially political leaders by their followers — compare hierarchy
2 : a group of many kingdoms
  • filled Europe with a colorful polyarchy of innumerable tribes
  • —D. C. Peattie

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Origin and Etymology of polyarchy

Greek polyarchia, from polyarchos ruling over many (from poly- + archos ruler) + -ia -y

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