oligarchy

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ol·i·gar·chy / ˈäliˌgärkē; ˈōli-/ • n. (pl. -chies) a small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution: the ruling oligarchy of military men around the president. ∎  a state governed by such a group: the English aristocratic oligarchy of the 19th century. ∎  government by such a group.DERIVATIVES: ol·i·gar·chic / ˌäliˈgärkik; ˌōli-/ adj.ol·i·gar·chi·cal / ˌäliˈgärkikəl; ˌōli-/ adj.ol·i·gar·chi·cal·ly / ˌäliˈgärkik(ə)lē; ˌōli-/ adv.

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