n. [ Hepta- + -archy: cf. F. heptarchie. ] A government by seven persons; also, a country under seven rulers. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The word is most commonly applied to England, when it was divided into seven kingdoms; as, the Saxon heptachy, which consisted of Kent, the South Saxons (Sussex), West Saxons (Wessex), East Saxons (Essex), the East Angles, Mercia, and Northumberland. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; the post or office of an &unr_;. ] A province, prefecture, or territory, under the jurisdiction of an eparch or governor; esp., in modern Greece, one of the larger subdivisions of a monarchy or province of the kingdom; in Russia, a diocese or archdiocese. [ 1913 Webster ]