Mo*nop"o*ly (?), n.; pl.
Monopolies (#). [L. monopolium, Gr. ?,
?; mo`nos alone + ? to sell.] 1.
The exclusive power, or privilege of selling a commodity; the
exclusive power, right, or privilege of dealing in some article, or
of trading in some market; sole command of the traffic in anything,
however obtained; as, the proprietor of a patented article is given a
monopoly of its sale for a limited time; chartered trading
companies have sometimes had a monopoly of trade with remote
regions; a combination of traders may get a monopoly of a
particular product.
Raleigh held a monopoly of cards, Essex a
monopoly of sweet wines.
Macaulay.
2. Exclusive possession; as, a
monopoly of land.
If I had a monopoly out, they would have part
on 't.
Shak.
3. The commodity or other material thing to
which the monopoly relates; as, tobacco is a monopoly in
France. [Colloq.]