octarchy

[ ok-tahr-kee ]

noun

, plural oc·tar·chies.

1. a government by eight persons.
2. a group of eight states or kingdoms.

octarchy

/ ˈɒktɑːkɪ /

noun

1. government by eight rulers
2. a confederacy of eight kingdoms, tribes, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of octarchy¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; oct- + -archy

Example Sentences

Finally, to use the quaint phrase of the Chancellor Whitelock, “the Octarchy was brought into one.”

From Project Gutenberg

Thus an octarchy was established, formed of the following eight distinct states.

From Project Gutenberg

With the establishment of the Saxon Octarchy this territory became included in the kingdom of Mercia.

From Project Gutenberg