Monarchy \Mon"arch*y\, n.; pl. Monarchies. [F. monarchie, L. monarchia, Gr. ?. See Monarch.]

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 monarchy afford false Clarence. --Shak.

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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)