What is "oligarchies"

Oligarchy \Ol"i*gar"chy\, n.; pl. Oligarchies. [Gr. ?; 'oli`gos few, little + 'a`rchein to rule, govern: cf. F. oligarchie.] A form of government in which the supreme power is placed in the hands of a few persons; also, those who form the ruling few.

All oligarchies, wherein a few men domineer, do what they list.
--Burton.

n. (plural of oligarchy English)