1. plural of squirarchy; the landed gentry or country gentlemen collectively, especially as a ruling class
Usage: historical; British

Examples

• The squirarchies of 18th-century England wielded considerable political influence.
• Local squirarchies often controlled parliamentary seats in rural constituencies.
• The decline of the squirarchies began with industrialization and urban growth.
• Traditional squirarchies maintained their power through land ownership and social connections.
• The novel depicts the conflicts between emerging merchants and established squirarchies.