a. (and sb.) [f. as prec. + -AL.]
1. Of or pertaining to the rule of an aristocracy; oligarchical.
1589. Hay any Work (1844), 48. Such is the civill governement … Aristocraticall in the higher house of Parliament.
1660. R. Coke, Justice Vind., 19. Where was there ever any such dissention … as in Democratical and Aristocratical States?
1756. Burke, Vind. Nat. Soc., Wks. 1842, I. 15. The monarchick, and aristocratical, and popular, partisans.
1874. Mahaffy, Soc. Life Greece, v. 136. The aristocratical complexion of Athenian life.
2. Of or belonging to the higher classes.
a. 1733. North, Lives, I. 201. There were bickerings against this power … in a manner aristocratical.
1791. T. Paine, Rights M., 26. Accustomed to kiss the aristocratical hand.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 356. No aristocratical mansion is to be found in that once aristocratical quarter.
1861. Gen. P. Thompson, Audi Alt., III. cl. 144. Needy aristocratical families.
B. as sb. A partisan of aristocracy.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., II. xxii. Patricians, and plebians … aristocraticals and democraticals.
