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n. pl. mo·nop·o·lies 1. Exclusive control by one group of the means of producing or selling a commodity or service: "Monopoly frequently ... arises from government support or from collusive agreements among individuals" (Milton Friedman). 2. a. A company, group, or individual having exclusive control over a commercial activity. b. A commodity or service so controlled. 3. a. Exclusive possession or control: arrogantly claims to have a monopoly on the truth. b. Something that is exclusively possessed or controlled: showed that scientific achievement is not a male monopoly. [Latin monopōlium, from Greek monopōlion : mono-, mono- + pōlein, to sell; see pel-4 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] mo·nopo·lism n. mo·nopo·list n. mo·nop′o·listic adj. mo·nop′o·listi·cal·ly adv. |
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