monarchy
/ˈmɑnɚki/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.67 in modern English
18
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
3
Syllables
8
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A government in which sovereignty is embodied within a single, today usually hereditary head of state (whether as a figurehead or as a powerful ruler).
Countable; Uncountable
noun
A form of government where sovereignty is embodied by a single ruler in a state and his high aristocracy representing their separate divided lands within the state and their low aristocracy representing their separate divided fiefs.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "An absolute monarchy is a monarchy where the monarch is legally the ultimate authority in all temporal matters."
- "A constitutional monarchy is a monarchy in which the monarch's power is legally constrained, ranging from where minor concessions have been made to appease certain factions to where the monarch is a figurehead with all real power in the hands of a legislative body."
- "He that with ſhepheards and a litle ſpoyle, Durſt in diſdaine of wrong and tyrannie, Defend his freedome gainſt a Monarchie: What will he doe ſupported by a king?"
- "What scourge for perjury / Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence?"
Etymology
From Old French monarchie, from Late Latin monarchia, from Ancient Greek μοναρχία (monarkhía), from μόνος (mónos, “only”) + ἀρχή (arkhḗ, “power, authority”). By surface analysis, mon- (“one, single”) + -archy (“rule, command”).
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈmɑnɚki/
- British English: /ˈmɒnəki/