Definition of "oligarchy" []

• Government by a few, especially by a small faction of persons or families. (noun)
• Those making up such a government. (noun)
• A state governed by a few persons. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The word oligarchy is from the Greek words for "few" and "rule"."
• "The word oligarchy is from the Greek words for "few" (ὀλίγios olígios) and "rule" (ἄρχeiv arkhein)."
• "And what manner of government do you term oligarchy?"