Family Compact
Britishnoun
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the ruling oligarchy in Upper Canada in the early 19th century
-
(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.
France almost immediately took part with Spain, in accordance with the terms of the Family Compact.
From A History of the Four Georges, Volume II by McCarthy, Justin
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
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
The Family Compact men had fallen on evil days.
From British Supremacy & Canadian Self-Government, 1839-1854 by Morison, J. L. (John Lyle)
The Duke added that he traced back the present politics of France to their chagrin at the dissolution of the Family Compact.
From The Greville Memoirs A Journal of the Reigns of King George IV and King William IV, Vol. I by Reeve, Henry
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.
