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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Monarchy, n. Also: monarchye, -i(e, -ey. [ME. (1390) and e.m.E. monarchie, -y(e, F. monarchie (13th c.), L. monarchia.]

1. Absolute rule by a single person; the position of such an absolute monarch; absolute power or sovereignty.Also, a system of government based on monarchy. c1420 Wynt. iv. 2444.
Octavyane … Off all the warld a monarchy [C. monarchi] He had … And empryowre thare-off he wes Ib. v. 30, 3045. c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4453.
Thare temporall monarchie Sall turne in tyll humylitie Ib. 4745.
Quhilk hes the spirituall dominatioun And monarchie abufe all Christindome? 1580 Second Conf. Faith in Facs. Nat. MSS. III. lxx.
We … refuse the wsurped authoritie of that Romane antichrist … , his worldlie monarchie and wicked hierarchie 1639 Rep. Maxwell-Stuart Mun. 259/2.
To mak a compond of two wils, of that of the King's and the other of the rebels, is hard for the honour of the monarchye 1649 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 587.
A longe oration … against the Englishe calling them … enimies to monarchey, breckers of leauge and covenant 1668-9 J. Fraser Lawfulness Separ. (1744) 30.
Monarchy is not denominated from the Prince only, but likeways from the subject

2. A state governed by a single monarch. c1420 Wynt. iv. 2411.
The empyre … Wes all subjecte till a man … And was callyd in Grew, for-thi, Fra thine furth the monarchy Ib. v. Prol. 30. c1590 Fowler II. 71/10.
Now monarchies ather ar hereditaire or newe c1610 Melville Mem. 9.
Junit in ane monarchie 1638 Nat. Covenant in Facs. Nat. MSS. III. xcvii.
The common lawes of this realme … if they be … prejudged … such confusion would ensue as this realme could be no more a free monarchie 1669 Jus Populi 123.
If in proper monarchies there be such … compacts [etc.]

3. A group of nations or states under the dominion of a single nation or its ruler, an empire.As in Lyndsay's ‘Monarchy’. c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1974, 1979.
Monarchie bene one terme of Grew As quhen one prouince … Had … power … Abufe all … nationis. One monarchie that men doith call Off quhome I find four principall … sen the warld began Ib. 1947. Ib. 3724.
Thir monarcheis … Preordinat wer by the command Off God

b. A period of such imperial rule, the duration of an empire. — c1552 Lynd. Mon. 3735.
Efter the first monarchie Ib. 3793.