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squirearchy

or squir·ar·chy

[skwahyuh r-ahr-kee]
noun, plural squire·ar·chies.
  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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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

  • 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.

  • But the Baronage or Squirearchy of the country were of another mind.

  • 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.

British Dictionary definitions for squirearchy

squirearchy

squirarchy

noun plural -chies
  1. government by squires
  2. squires collectively, esp as a political or social force
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Derived Formssquirearchal, squirarchal, squirearchical or squirarchical, adjective

Word Origin

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