2. (Zoöl.) Having a slender, sharp, or spinelike tip.
Aristocracy
(Ar`is*toc"ra*cy) n.; pl. Aristocracies [Gr. best + to be strong, to rule, strength; is perh.
from the same root as E. arm, and orig. meant fitting: cf. F. aristocratie. See Arm, and Create, which
is related to Gr. .]
1. Government by the best citizens.
2. A ruling body composed of the best citizens. [Obs.]
In the Senate
Right not our quest in this, I will protest them
To all the world, no aristocracy.
B. Jonson.
3. A form a government, in which the supreme power is vested in the principal persons of a state, or in
a privileged order; an oligarchy.
The aristocracy of Venice hath admitted so many abuses, trough the degeneracy of the nobles, that the
period of its duration seems approach.
Swift.
4. The nobles or chief persons in a state; a privileged class or patrician order; (in a popular use) those
who are regarded as superior to the rest of the community, as in rank, fortune, or intellect.
Aristocrat
(A*ris"to*crat) n. [F. aristocrate. See Aristocracy.]
1. One of the aristocracy or people of rank in a community; one of a ruling class; a noble.
2. One who is overbearing in his temper or habits; a proud or haughty person.
A born aristocrat, bred radical.
Mrs. Browning.
3. One who favors an aristocracy as a form of government, or believes the aristocracy should govern.
His whole family are accused of being aristocrats.
Romilly.
Aristocratic
(Ar`is*to*crat"ic Ar`is*to*crat"ic*al) a. aristocratique.]—>
1. Of or pertaining to an aristocracy; consisting in, or favoring, a government of nobles, or principal men; as,
an aristocratic constitution.
2. Partaking of aristocracy; befitting aristocracy; characteristic of, or originating with, the aristocracy; as,
an aristocratic measure; aristocratic pride or manners. - - Ar`is*to*crat"ic*al*ly, adv. — Ar`is*to*crat"ic*al*ness,
n.
Aristocratism
(Ar"is*to*crat`ism) n.
1. The principles of aristocrats. Romilly.
2. Aristocrats, collectively. [R.]
Aristology
(Ar`is*tol"o*gy) n. [Gr. dinner + -logy.] The science of dining. Quart. Rev.
Aristophanic
(Ar`is*to*phan"ic) a. Of or pertaining to Aristophanes, the Athenian comic poet.
Aristotelian
(Ar`is*to*te"li*an) a. Of or pertaining to Aristotle, the famous Greek philosopher (384-322
b. c.). — n. A follower of Aristotle; a Peripatetic. See Peripatetic.
Aristotelianism
(Ar`is*to*te"li*an*ism) The philosophy of Aristotle, otherwise called the Peripatetic philosophy.
