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monarchy

Origin: F. Monarchie, L. Monarchia, Gr. See Monarch.

1. A state or government in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of a monarch.

2. A system of government in which the chief ruler is a monarch. In those days he had affected zeal for monarchy. (Macaulay)

3. The territory ruled over by a monarch; a kingdom. What scourage for perjury Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence. (Shak) fifth monarchy, a universal monarchy, supposed to be the subject of prophecy in Daniel II.; the four preceding monarchies being Assyrian, persian, Grecian, and roman. See Fifth Monarchy men, under Fifth.