-archy

¹ American  

1. a combining form meaning “rule,” “government,” forming abstract nouns usually corresponding to personal nouns ending in -arch:

   monarchy; oligarchy.

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Archy ² American  

[ahr-chee] / ˈɑr tʃi /

noun

1. a first name, form of Archibald.

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-archy British  

combining form

1. government; rule

   anarchy

   monarchy

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Usage

What does -archy mean? The combining form -archy is used like a suffix meaning “rule” or "government." It is often used in technical terms, especially in sociology.The form -archy comes from Greek -archēs, meaning “rule, government.”What are variants of -archy?While -archy doesn't have any variants, it is related to the form -arch, as in matriarch. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article for -arch.

Other Word Forms

• -archic combining form
• -archist combining form

Etymology

Origin of -archy

Middle English -archie < Latin -archia < Greek, equivalent to arch ( os ) or -arch ( ēs ) -arch + -ia -y ³

Example Sentences

Ursula Granger had given birth to a boy named Archy, who later died.

From Literature

Constructed out of loose, brisk chapters with little punctuation or capitalization — the cat is plainly an alumnus of the Archy and Mehitabel school of talking-animal prose — the plot is effectively a series of trials.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s a fine line between sensitivity and self-aggrandisement, one that both King Krule’s Archy Marshall and Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker get on the right side of on their new albums.

From The Guardian

“If we don’t stop them there, they could end up here,” Archy argues.

From The Guardian

“Don’t know exactly,” replies Archy.

From The Guardian