monarchy
(ˈmɒnəkɪ)
Forms: α. 4–7 monarchie, 5–6 -ye, 6–7 monarkie, -ky, 5– monarchy; β. 6–7 monarchia.
[a. F. monarchie (13th c.), ad. L. monarchia, Gr. µοναρχία rule of one, f. µόναρχ-ος monarch.]
† 1. Undivided rule by a single person; sole rule or sovereignty; absolute power. Obs.
| α 1390 Gower Conf. I. 26 The Monarchie Of al the world in that partie To Babiloyne was soubgit. Ibid. I. 27, 67. 1432–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) III. 33 And then the monarchye off men of Assiria, whiche contynuede from Belus other Ninus to the laste tymes of Sardanapallus..failede. 1561 Norton & Sackv. Gorboduc Dumb Show bef. 1st Act, Gorboduc deuidinge his Lande to his two Sonnes, which he before held in Monarchie. 1729 Butler Serm. Wks. 1874 II. 200 The monarchy of the universe is a dominion unlimited in extent, and everlasting in duration. 1845 Lingard Anglo-Sax. Ch. I. iii. 114 [St. Peter] whose happy lot it had been to receive..the power of binding and the monarchy of loosing [orig. potestatem ligandi et monarchiam solvendi] both in heaven and on earth. 1876 Mozley Univ. Serm. i. 1 Gregory VII..claimed the monarchy of the world. |
| β 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. (Rolls) II. 425 Kenethus..was the first..that had monarchia Of tua kinrikis. 1602 Warner Alb. Eng. x. lvii. (1612) 251 Discourst of his Experience thus, he then descends to it, Whereby of Monarchia might himselfe the French King fit. |
¶ b. loosely. Exclusive dominion (of a body of persons). Obs.
| 1600 W. Watson Decacordon (1602) 324 The Iesuits aspire to the whole and absolute monarchie of the world. |
2. A state having a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in a single person. Formerly, also, a nation or state having dominating power over all other states.
absolute monarchy or despotic m., a government by the absolute will of the monarch. constitutional m. (see constitutional a. 4 b). elective m., one in which the monarch is determined by election as opposed to heredity. hereditary m., one in which the sovereign power descends by hereditary right. limited m. (see limited 2).
| c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 128 The realmes and the monarchyes, Of erthely princes. 1494 Fabyan Chron. v. xci. 67 [Egbert] hadde subdued the more partie of the Kyngdomes of Saxons, and made of all but one Monarchy. 1552 Lyndesay Monarche 1979 As, quhen one Prouince..Had hole power Imperiall,.. Abufe all Kyngis and Nationis, One Monarchie that men doith call. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 392 b, That the same Monarchye, that hath ben now so many yeares in framinge, maye at the lengthe be established. 1599 Shakes. Hen. V, ii. iv. 73 Good my Soueraigne..let them know Of what a Monarchie you are the Head. a 1618 Raleigh Prince (1642) 2 Monarchies..are of 3 sorts touching the right or possession of them; viz. 1. Hereditary,..2. Elective,..3. Mixt... Monarchies are of 2 sorts touching their power or authority; viz. 1. Intier... 2. Limited. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. ii. xxvi. 140 It is..necessary to consider in this place..what is the will of the Soveraign, as well in Monarchies, as in other formes of government. 1776 Gibbon Decl. & F. vii. (1782) I. 204 Of the various forms of government,..an hereditary monarchy seems to present the fairest scope for ridicule. 1874 Bancroft Footpr. Time i. 47 The Chaldean Monarchy was the first in order of time. |
3. In the abstract: Monarchical rule.
| 1638 Hamilton Papers (Camden) 40 It is chiflie monarchie uhich is intended by them to be destroyed. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. ii. xix. 95 For they that are discontented under Monarchy, call it Tyranny. 1681 Dryden Abs. & Achit. ii. 904 Who once at such a gentle reign repine, The fall of monarchy itself design. 1742 Hume Ess. i. vii. (1777) 33 Absolute monarchy, therefore, is the easiest death, the true Euthanasia of the British constitution. a 1862 Buckle Civiliz. (1873) III. iii. 156 The very institution of monarchy was repulsive to them. |
† 4. The territory of a monarch. Obs. rare.
| c 1550 Bale K. Johan (Camden) 91 Than shall never Pope rule more in thys monarchie. 1699 Bentley Phal. 403 Crouds of those that would have come to Court from the furthest parts of the Monarchy. |
5. transf. and fig. (From senses 1–3.)
| 1609 C. Butler (title) The Feminine Monarchie Or A Treatise concerning Bees. 1695 Congreve Love for L. Ded., Nobody can dispute Your Lordship's Monarchy in Poetry. 1713 Steele Englishman No. 7. 44 Liberty is checked by the Restraints of Truth, and the Monarchy of right Reason. 1791 Bentham Panopt. II. 205 A prison, a sort of monarchy which has never yet been noted for plans of conquest. 1884 J. Parker Apost. Life III. 133 The only monarchy that is not tinsel is the monarchy of holiness. |