Mo-nŏp'o-ly, n.

n. [Fr. monopole, Pr. monopoli, Sp. & It. monopolio, Lat. monopolium, Gr. μονοπωλία, μονοπώλιον, from μόνος, alone, and πωλεῖν, to sell.] The sole power of dealing in any species of goods, or of dealing with a country or market, obtained either by engrossing the articles in market by purchase, or by a license from government; sole permission and power to deal; exclusive command or possession.

They came to find that the lower classes have not a monopoly of all the simplicities of life, nor the upper classes the monopoly of all its absurd pride. F. W. Robertson.