noun pl. aristocracies -·cies

1. Historical government by the best citizens
2. government by a privileged minority or upper class, usually of inherited wealth and social position
3. a country with this form of government; oligarchy
4. a privileged ruling class; nobility
5. those considered the best in some way an aristocracy of scientists
6. aristocratic quality or spirit

Etymology: L aristocratia < Gr aristokratia < aristos, best + -kratia, rule < kratos, power, rule: see hard