archon

American  

[ahr-kon] / ˈɑr kɒn /

noun

1. a higher magistrate in ancient Athens.

2. any ruler.

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archon British  

/ ˈɑːkɒn, -kən /

noun

1. (in ancient Athens) one of the nine chief magistrates

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Other Word Forms

• archonship noun

Etymology

Origin of archon

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

Example Sentences

All those years of running from city to city one step ahead of the Usurper's knives, pleading for help from archons and princes and magisters, buying our food with flattery.

From Literature

Old forms and names remain—there are still consuls and archons, poets and philosophers, but the atmosphere is another, and the names have a new meaning, if they have any at all.

From Project Gutenberg

Owing to his volatile temperament the argument is varied by now a bit of vivid description like that of the archon’s feast when Sophocles appeared, now by some merely personal remark to Balaustion.

From Project Gutenberg

When the direct jurisdiction of the archons was impaired by Solon’s institution The presidents of the tribunals.

From Project Gutenberg

The local government was left in the hands of the archontes or primates in each community, who also undertook the farming of the taxes and the policing of their districts.

From Project Gutenberg