pentarchy

American  

[pen-tahr-kee] / ˈpɛn tɑr ki /

noun

plural

pentarchies

1. a government by five persons.

2. a governing body of five persons.

3. a federation of five nations, each under its own government or ruler.

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pentarchy British  

/ ˈpɛntɑːkɪ /

noun

1. government by five rulers

2. a ruling body of five

3. a union or association of five kingdoms, provinces, etc, each under its own ruler

4. a country ruled by a body of five

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Other Word Forms

• pentarch noun
• pentarchical adjective

Etymology

Origin of pentarchy

From the Greek word pentarchía, dating back to 1580–90; pent-, -archy

Example Sentences

He seems to have contemplated the entire overthrow of the pentarchy and the union of all the provinces under one sole king, namely, himself.

From Beauties and Antiquities of Ireland by Russell, T. O.

But, as in the Saxon times this country was an heptarchy, it is now a strange sort of pentarchy.

From The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 02 (of 12) by Burke, Edmund

This peace— the fruit of Marengo and Hohenlinden—restored France to that honourable position which had been put in jeopardy by the feeble and incapable government of the pentarchy and the reverses of 1799.

From Memoirs of Napoleon — Volume 05 by Bourrienne, Louis Antoine Fauvelet de