'Kritarchy' definitions:

Definition of 'Kritarchy'

From: GCIDE

Kritarchy \Kri"tarch*y\ (kr[imac]"t[aum]rk*[y^]), n. [Gr. krith`s judge + 'archh` beginning, government.] The rule of the judges over Israel. [1913 Webster]
Samson, Jephthah, Gideon, and other heroes of the kritarchy. --Southey. [1913 Webster]