People, Power, and Politics: arch (ruler; chief)

Learn this list of words containing arch meaning "ruler, chief, principal, or leader."
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. monarch
    a nation's ruler usually by hereditary right
  2. arch
    naughtily or annoyingly playful
    Don't confuse the adjective arch with the noun and verb meanings related to curves. The latter derive from the Latin word arcus, or "bow." The adjective, on the other hand, comes from Greek arkhos, and it was originally used in compound words like arch-rogue, meaning "the chief rogue." By the 19th century, arch was regularly used as a stand-alone adjective meaning "cheeky" or "forward."
  3. architect
    someone who creates plans to be used in making something
  4. archive
    a depository containing historical records and documents
  5. archipelago
    a group of many islands in a large body of water
  6. anarchist
    an advocate of the abolition of governments
  7. archaic
    so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period
    This meaning relating to being old, ancient, or primitive also comes from the Greek arkhein meaning "to be first." Note the sense of primitive as being "first."
  8. archaeology
    the branch of anthropology that studies prehistoric people
  9. archaeologist
    an anthropologist who studies prehistoric culture
  10. archetype
    something that serves as a model
  11. oligarch
    member of a small group that runs a country, business, etc.
  12. archivist
    a person in charge of a repository of documents and records
  13. matriarch
    a female head of a family or tribe
  14. archival
    of a depository containing historical records and documents
  15. patriarchy
    a form of social organization in which men hold power
Created on Mon Mar 23 11:30:45 EDT 2026 (updated Mon Mar 23 11:45:07 EDT 2026)

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