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.