Oligarchy \Ol"i*gar"chy\, n.; pl. {Oligarchies}. [Gr. ?; ? few, little + ? to rule, govern: cf.F. oligarchie.] A form of government in which the supreme power is placed in the hands of a few persons; also, those who form the ruling few. All oligarchies, wherein a few men domineer, do what they list. --Burton.