squirearchy

American  

[skwahyuhr-ahr-kee] / ˈskwaɪər ɑr ki /

Or squirarchy

noun

PLURAL

squirearchies

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

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

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squirearchy British  

/ ˈskwaɪəˌrɑːkɪ /

noun

1. government by squires

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

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Other Word Forms

• squirearchal adjective
• squirearchical adjective

Etymology

Origin of squirearchy

First recorded in 1795–1805; squire + -archy

Example Sentences

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

From Salon

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

From Literature

The squirearchy of Cornwall, flush of money, through tin, pulled down their old residences and built mansions in the Georgian period, totally devoid of interest.

From Project Gutenberg

The vicar's new fad, as it was called, did not excite the same amount of hostility amongst the squirearchy of the neighbourhood as his effort at education, but the farmers liked it as ill.

From Project Gutenberg

The country was thus settled by a resident squirearchy of an almost English type.

From Project Gutenberg