squirearchy

or squir·ar·chy

[ skwahyuh r-ahr-kee ]
/ ˈskwaɪər ɑr ki /

noun, plural squire·ar·chies.

the collective body of squires or landed gentry of a country.
the social, economic, and political class formed by the landed gentry.

Origin of squirearchy

First recorded in 1795–1805; squire + -archy

OTHER WORDS FROM squirearchy

squire·ar·chal, squire·ar·chi·cal, adjective

Words nearby squirearchy

Example sentences from the Web for squirearchy

British Dictionary definitions for squirearchy

squirearchy

squirarchy

/ (ˈskwaɪəˌrɑːkɪ) /

noun plural -chies

government by squires
squires collectively, esp as a political or social force

Derived forms of squirearchy

squirearchal, squirarchal, squirearchical or squirarchical, adjective

Word Origin for squirearchy

C19: from squire + -archy, on the model of hierarchy, monarchy, etc