Webster's English Dictionary

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aristocracy

ar.is.toc.ra.cy \.ar-*-'sta:k-r*-se-\ n [MF & LL; MF aristocratie, fr. LL 
   aristocratia, fr. Gk aristokra]tia, fr. aristos best + -kratia -cracy 1: 
   government by the best individuals or a small privileged class  2a: a 
   government in which power is vested in a minority consisting of those felt 
   to be best qualified 2b: a state with such a government  3: a governing 
   body or upper class usu. made up of an hereditary nobility  4: the 
   aggregate of those felt to be superior