ancien régime

Etymology
From ; the term first appeared in English print in 1794.

Noun

 * 1)  A system of government long since supplanted by another, particularly a state of feudalism with an absolute monarchy supported by the doctrine of divine right with the explicit consent of an established church.

Translations

 * Dutch: ancien régime
 * Finnish: vanha valta
 * Greek: προηγούμενο καθεστώς
 * Portuguese: ancien régime
 * Spanish: antiguo régimen

Noun

 * 1) former government

Usage notes
The term is used generically in French to refer to any previous government, without automatic negative connotations. In English, the term is generally used pejoratively.

Etymology
.

Noun

 * 1)   system of government long since supplanted by another