Collins English-English Dictionary

aristocracy ["ærɪ'stɒkrəsɪ]

1. 1. n a privileged class of people usually of high birth; the nobility

2. 2. n such a class as the ruling body of a state

3. 3. n government by such a class

4. 4. n a state governed by such a class

5. 5. n a class of people considered to be outstanding in a sphere of activity

6. 6. n [Etymology] C16: from Late Latin aristocratia, from Greek aristokratia rule by the best-born, from aristos best; see -cracy