poly·ar·chy \-_kē\noun (-es) Etymology: Greek polyarchia, from polyarchos ruling over many (from poly- + archos ruler) + -ia -y — more at archi- 1.: government by many persons : control of especially political leaders by their followers — compare hierarchy 2.: a group of many kingdoms < filled Europe with a colorful polyarchy of innumerable tribes — D.C.Peattie >