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DictionaryRoot: arkhein
Greek

arkhein

begin, lead, or rule

Forms

  • arkhein
  • arch- — A Latin-style spelling of the base.
  • arkhi- — A related form meaning chief or leading.

Origin

An old Greek verb whose deeper ancestry is uncertain.

Note

Being at the beginning connects with taking the lead and holding authority.

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noun

monarch

MAH-nark/ˈmɑːnərk/

A sovereign ruler, such as a king or queen.

The monarch sits on her throne in dignified ceremonial robes.

A Black queen in dignified ceremonial robes sits on a throne.
Etymology
monGreekone, single, or alone
+archGreekbegin, lead, or rule

The roots describe someone who rules alone. The word later came to denote a hereditary sovereign, whose powers may be limited rather than absolute.

In context

Switching Lives8:21
At the top of the pattern most people recognize sits the monarch: king or queen.
Your Life As Every Level Of European Nobility

More examples

  • The constitution limits the monarch's power.
  • She becomes monarch when her father gives up the throne.
  • Portraits of past monarchs line the palace walls.

Forms

monarch · monarchs

monarchy noun — Government headed by a king or queen.

monarchical adjective — Relating to rule by a monarch.

Similar words

sovereign
Emphasizes supreme authority rather than a particular royal title.
king
Specifically a male monarch, rather than a female ruler.
queen
Can mean a female monarch or a king's wife.