pentarchy

Meaning

Noun

• Government by five persons.
• A governing body consisting of five persons.
• A federation of five nations, each under its own government or ruler.

Origin

• From Late Latin pentarchia, from Ancient Greek πενταρχίᾱ, from πεντα- + -αρχίᾱ, perhaps via Middle French pentarchie. Equivalent to pent- + -archy.