squirearchy

or squir·ar·chy

[skwahyuh r-ahr-kee]

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.

Origin of squirearchy

First recorded in 1795–1805; squire + -archy

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for squirearchy

Historical Examples of squirearchy

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.
The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 07
Various
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
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

British Dictionary definitions for squirearchy

squirearchy

squirarchy

noun plural -chies

government by squires
squires collectively, esp as a political or social force

Derived Formssquirearchal, 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