Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Monarchy
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
Can this dark
monarchy
afford false Clarence. Shakespeare
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 1828 Edition
Monarchy
MON'ARCHY
,Noun.
1.
A state or government in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of a single person. Such a state is usually called an empire or a kingdom; and we usually give this denomination to a large state only. But the same name is sometimes given to a kingdom or state in which the power of the king or supreme magistrate is limited by a constitution, or by fundamental laws. Such is the British monarchy. Hence we speak of absolute or despotic monarchies, and of limited monarchies. A free government has a great advantage over a simple monarchy.
2.
A kingdom; an empire.