sub·gov·ern·ment | \ ˌsəb-ˈgə-vər(n)-mənt 
, -və-mənt; -ˈgə-bᵊm-ənt, -vᵊm- \
, -və-mənt; -ˈgə-bᵊm-ənt, -vᵊm- \variants:
or sub-government
plural subgovernments or sub-governments
Definition of subgovernment
: a secondary or subordinate government : an informal or unofficial association of persons or institutions that exercises considerable influence on a formal government or organization
It was an opportunity to enter the elite world of intellectuals and military men who form a subgovernment within the executive branch.— Neil Sheehan … a peek into the secret subgovernment of the Cold War.— Richard Reeves
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Time Traveler for subgovernment
The first known use of subgovernment was in 1841
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