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squirearchy

American  
[skwahyuhr-ahr-kee] / ˈskwaɪər ɑr ki /
Or squirarchy

noun

squirearchies plural
  1. the collective body of squires or landed gentry of a country.

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


squirearchy British  
/ ˈskwaɪəˌrɑːkɪ /

noun

  1. government by squires

  2. squires collectively, esp as a political or social force

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

Etymology

Origin of squirearchy

First recorded in 1795–1805; squire + -archy

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 so-called English squirearchy, which began as a military class, gradually became a landowning caste from which the members of Parliament were elected.

From Salon • Jul. 2, 2023

America's ruling class, both during the colonial period and the early decades of independence, was a direct offshoot of English squirearchy.

From Salon • Jul. 2, 2023

Sequel To news of bygone weeks, herewith sequels from last week's news: In the squirearchy of Long Island, no gentleman resides more snugly than Col.

From Time Magazine Archive

He is also a top man in the British Foreign Office hierarchy and a solid man in his country's squirearchy.

From Time Magazine Archive

Some of the Prussian squirearchy are now making their way to the port.

From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys

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