archon

[ahr-kon]

noun

a higher magistrate in ancient Athens.

any ruler.

Nearby words

Origin of archon

1650–60; < Greek árchōn magistrate, ruler, noun use of present participle of árchein to be first, rule; see archi-

Related formsar·chon·ship, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for archon

Immediately after those events, Aristeides was chosen as Archon Eponymus, that is, the archon who gives his name to the year.
Plutarch's Lives, Volume II|Aubrey Stewart & George Long
While at Archon's table he had determined to place his cure in the hands of higher powers.
Arachne, Complete|Georg Ebers
This probably alludes to the government of Solon, when Archon of Athens.
The Fables of Phdrus|Phaedrus
Aristides was one of the ten generals appointed on that occasion, and the year after held the dignity of Archon.
Historical Parallels, vol 2 of 3)|Arthur Thomas Malkin

He had promised to attend a banquet given that day by the wealthy ship-owner Archon.
Arachne, Complete|Georg Ebers

British Dictionary definitions for archon

archon

noun

(in ancient Athens) one of the nine chief magistrates

Derived Formsarchonship, noun

Word Origin for archon

C17: from Greek arkhōn ruler, from arkhein to rule

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for archon

archon

one of the nine chief magistrates of ancient Athens, 1650s, from Greek arkhon "ruler," noun use of present participle of arkhein "to rule," from PIE *arkhein- "to begin, rule, command," a "Gk. verb of unknown origin, but showing archaic Indo-European features ... with derivatives arkhe, 'rule, beginning,' and arkhos, 'ruler' " [Watkins].