n.; pl. Aristocracies [ Gr. &unr_;; &unr_; best + &unr_; to be strong, to rule, &unr_; strength; &unr_; is perh. from the same root as E. arm, and orig. meant fitting: cf. F. aristocratie. See Arm, and Create, which is related to Gr. &unr_;. ] 1. Government by the best citizens. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A ruling body composed of the best citizens. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

In the Senate
Right not our quest in this, I will protest them
To all the world, no aristocracy. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A form a government, in which the supreme power is vested in the principal persons of a state, or in a privileged order; an oligarchy. [ 1913 Webster ]

The aristocracy of Venice hath admitted so many abuses, trough the degeneracy of the nobles, that the period of its duration seems approach. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The nobles or chief persons in a state; a privileged class or patrician order; (in a popular use) those who are regarded as superior to the rest of the community, as in rank, fortune, or intellect. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. aristocrate. See Aristocracy. ] 1. One of the aristocracy or people of rank in a community; one of a ruling class; a noble. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who is overbearing in his temper or habits; a proud or haughty person. [ 1913 Webster ]

A born aristocrat, bred radical. Mrs. Browning. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. One who favors an aristocracy as a form of government, or believes the aristocracy should govern. [ 1913 Webster ]

His whole family are accused of being aristocrats. Romilly. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ Gr. &unr_;: cf. F. aristocratique. ] 1. Of or pertaining to an aristocracy; consisting in, or favoring, a government of nobles, or principal men; as, an aristocratic constitution. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Partaking of aristocracy; befitting aristocracy; characteristic of, or originating with, the aristocracy; as, an aristocratic measure; aristocratic pride or manners. -- Ar`is*to*crat"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Ar`is*to*crat"ic*al*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The principles of aristocrats. Romilly. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Aristocrats, collectively. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. 1 a family comprising the birthworts; wild ginger.
Syn. -- family Aristolochiaceae, birthwort family [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. 1 an order of plants distinguished by tubular petaloid perianth and inferior ovary. It includes the Aristolochiaceae, Rafflesiaceae, and Hydnoraceae.
Syn. -- order Aristolochiales. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; dinner + -logy. ] The science of dining. Quart. Rev. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to Aristophanes, the Athenian comic poet. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. of or pertaining to Aristotle; Aristotelian. Aristotelean logic [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. 1 a small genus of shrubs or small trees of Australia and New Zealand and West South America.
Syn. -- genus Aristotelia. [ WordNet 1.5 ]