- monarchy
- "rule by one person," c.1390, from O.Fr. monarchie, from L.L. monarchia, from Gk. monarkhia "absolute rule," lit. "ruling of one," from monos "alone" (see mono-) + arkhein "to rule" (see archon). Meaning "a state ruled by monarchical government" is from c.1430; monarch is from c.1450; monarchist first attested 1647.