Mon"arch*y (?), n.; pl. Monarchies (#). [F. monarchie, L. monarchia, Gr. . See Monarch.]
1.
A state or government in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of a monarch.
2.
A system of government in which the chief ruler is a monarch.
In those days he had affected zeal for monarchy.
Macaulay.
3.
The territory ruled over by a monarch; a kingdom.
What scourage for perjury
Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence.
Shak.
Fifth monarchy, a universal monarchy, supposed to be the subject of prophecy in Daniel ii.; the four preceding monarchies being Assyrian, Persian, Grecian, and Roman. See Fifth Monarchy men, under Fifth.
© Webster 1913.