pentarchy

pentarchy [pen-tahr-kee] Word Origin noun, plural pen·tar·chies.

1. a government by five persons.
2. a governing body of five persons.
3. a federation of five nations, each under its own government or ruler.

Origin of pentarchy From the Greek word pentarchía, dating back to 1580–90. See pent(a)-, -archy Related formspen·tarch, nounpen·tar·chi·cal, adjective British Dictionary definitions for pentarch pentarchy noun plural -chies

1. government by five rulers
2. a ruling body of five
3. a union or association of five kingdoms, provinces, etc, each under its own ruler
4. a country ruled by a body of five

Derived Formspentarchical, adjective