Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MON'ARCH-Y, n. [Gr. μοναρχια. See Monarch.]

1. A state or government in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of a single person. Such a state is usually called an empire or a kingdom; and we usually give this denomination to a large state only. But the same name is sometimes given to a kingdom or state in which the power of the king or supreme magistrate is limited by a constitution, or by fundamental laws. Such is the British monarchy. Hence we speak of absolute or despotic monarchies, and of limited monarchies. A free government has a great advantage over a simple monarchy. J. Adams.
2. A kingdom; an empire. Shak.