a form of government in which power is vested in three or more persons
Derived forms
polyarchicpolyarchical
adjective
Word origin
[1600–10; poly- + -archy]This word is first recorded in the period 1600–10. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: adaptation, criticism, progressive, skid, umbrellapoly- is a combining form with the meanings “much, many” and, in chemistry, “polymeric,”used in the formation of compound words. Other words that use the affix poly- include: polyandrous, polyculture, polyethylene; -archy is a combining form meaning “rule,” “government,” forming abstract nouns usuallycorresponding to personal nouns ending in -arch. Other words that use the affix -archy include: dinarchy, hagiarchy, hexarchy, matriarchy, squirearchy