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.
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
The Family Compact men had fallen on evil days.
From British Supremacy & Canadian Self-Government, 1839-1854 by Morison, J. L. (John Lyle)
Spain appealed to France for her aid by the terms of the Family Compact.
From A History of the Four Georges and of William IV, Volume III by McCarthy, Justin
Early in the year 1790 a dispute with England concerning the frontier in North America induced the Spanish government to claim the help of France under the Family Compact.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 2 "French Literature" to "Frost, William" by Various
The Government until then was composed of members of the Family Compact, and they determined to keep settlers in the dark, and to allow the Laird of McNab to do as he pleased.
From The Last Laird of MacNab An Episode in the Settlement of MacNab Township, Upper Canada by Various
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.
