| 释义 |
squirearchy1|ˈskwaɪərɑːkɪ|
Also α. 'squire-archy, squire-archy. β. squirarchy, 'squir-archy.
[f. squire n. after hierarchy, monarchy, etc. The spelling with e has been by far the more usual.]
1. a. The collective body of squires, landed proprietors, or country gentry; the class to which squires belong, regarded especially in respect of its political or social influence.
α1796W. Tone Autobiogr. (1893) II. iii. 55 Such is the honesty of the Squirearchy of Ireland. 1804Spirit Public Jrnls. VIII. 55 We look to the admiration and support of the Squirearchy of Old England. 1854J. W. Warter Last of O. Squires xvi. 167 He had lived amongst the old squirearchy of the midland counties. 1899Baring-Gould Bk. of West I. ii. 40 A very large number of old mansions, belonging to the squirearchy of Elizabethan days, remain.
β1819Syd. Smith in Edin. Rev. March 308 The new class of punishments which the Squirarchy have themselves enacted against depredations on game. 1861FitzGerald Lett. (1889) I. 277 We are split up into the pettiest possible Squirarchy, who want to make the utmost of their little territory.
b. Without article.
1858Bailey Age 5 Law, army, navy, physic, state and squirearchy. 1885Illustr. Lond. News 14 Feb. 184/1 Keeping upon good terms with Squirearchy.
c. A class, body, or number of squires.
1830Examiner 789/1 A gorgeous aristocracy, a pampered squirarchy, and a magnificent parson-archy. 1853W. Jerdan Autobiog. IV. 146 The surrounding Cheshire gentry, about the..best informed squirearchy in the kingdom. 1874Green Short Hist. iv. §2. 167 To check this growth of a squirearchy..the statute provided [etc.].
2. The position or dignity of a squire. rare.
1854J. W. Warter Last of O. Squires xii. 118 Always ready to explode when thwarted in his squirearchy, he not only could, but did, look inward continually.
3. Rule or government by a squire or squires.
1861Pycroft Agony Point (1862) 127 The form of polity in Brendon was a kind of Squirearchy. |