Family Compact
Britishnoun
-
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.
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
But this reply to the poor settlers did not alone satisfy the schemes of the Chief or his friends, the Family Compact.
From The Last Laird of MacNab An Episode in the Settlement of MacNab Township, Upper Canada by Various
He detailed the wrongs of the settlers and the exactions of the Chief in glowing terms, and was extremely severe on the "Family Compact."
From The Last Laird of MacNab An Episode in the Settlement of MacNab Township, Upper Canada by Various
Even the Family Compact were amazed that such things were permitted under their regime.
From The Last Laird of MacNab An Episode in the Settlement of MacNab Township, Upper Canada by Various
But although the friends of the old Family Compact always professed to be extremely loyal and to pay great deference to the wishes of the British government, on this occasion they pursued a different course.
From Wilmot and Tilley by Hannay, James
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.
