Family Compact
Britishnoun
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the ruling oligarchy in Upper Canada in the early 19th century
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(often not capitals) any influential clique
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The leaders of the Family Compact in Nova Scotia were not only men of ability and integrity, they had also a reasoned theory of government.
From The Tribune of Nova Scotia A Chronicle of Joseph Howe by Grant, W. L. (William Lawson)
Sir Charles chose his associates and advisers from among the members of the defunct Family Compact.
From The Canadian Portrait Gallery - Volumes 1 to 4 by Dent, John Charles
Walpole was thinking, no doubt, of the Family Compact, and of "the King over the Water."
From A History of the Four Georges, Volume II by McCarthy, Justin
E Returned in elections, 1847, 50; solicitor-general for Upper Canadian first La Fontaine-Baldwin Cabinet, 53; father of Edward Blake; attacks Family Compact; bitter conflict with Sir Allan MacNab, 69.
From The Makers of Canada: Index and Dictionary of Canadian History by Various
Worst of all, it soon appeared that Godoy was bent on reviving the policy of the Family Compact, making common cause even with the murderers of Louis XVI in order to thwart England's expansion oversea.
From William Pitt and the Great War by Rose, John Holland
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
