Archon

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈɑːkÉ™n/

Origin

From Ancient Greek ἄρχων, a noun use of the present participle of ἄρχειν (arkhein, "to rule").

Full definition of archon

Noun

1. A chief magistrate of ancient Athens.
• 1980: Hated by the archons of Athens for his fearless condemnation of municipal graft, he was hypocritically arraigned on a charge of corrupting Athenian youth. (Burgess, Earthly Powers)
2. A ruler, head of state or other leader.
• 1922: But neither the midwife’s lore nor the caudlectures saved him from the archons of Sinn Fein and their noggin of hemlock. (Joyce, Ulysses)
3. (gnosticism) A supernatural being subordinate to the Demiurge.

Related terms

• archaeo-
• archaic
• archaism
• archeo-
• archive
• -archy

Anagrams

• anchor
• Charon
• noarch