squirearchy

or squir·ar·chy

[ skwahyuh r-ahr-kee ]

/ ˈskwaɪər ɑr ki /

noun, plural squire·ar·chies.

the collective body of squires or landed gentry of a country.

the social, economic, and political class formed by the landed gentry.

Nearby words

squinty, squirarchy, squircle, squire, squirearch, squirearchy, squiredom, squireen, squireling, squirm, squirmy

Origin of squirearchy

First recorded in 1795–1805; squire + -archy

Related forms

squire·ar·chal, squire·ar·chi·cal, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for squirearchy

Such was more or less the universal humor in the squirearchy of Brandenburg; not of good omen to Burggraf Friedrich.
The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 07|Various
Not, indeed, that the squirearchy then present were at all disposed to regret Maitland's absence.
Tony Butler|Charles James Lever
But the Baronage or Squirearchy of the country were of another mind.
History Of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol. III. (of XXI.)|Thomas Carlyle
This lowly lad fought the forces of "Squirearchy and Hierarchy."
The War After the War|Isaac Frederick Marcosson

A few years since some of the most strenuous opponents of railways were to be found among the squirearchy.
Old Roads and New Roads|William Bodham Donne

British Dictionary definitions for squirearchy

squirearchy

squirarchy

/ (ˈskwaɪəˌrɑːkɪ) /

noun plural -chies

government by squires

squires collectively, esp as a political or social force

Derived Forms

squirearchal, squirarchal, squirearchical or squirarchical, adjective

Word Origin for squirearchy

C19: from squire + -archy, on the model of hierarchy, monarchy, etc

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012