archon

[ ahr-kon ]

/ ˈɑr kɒn /

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noun

a higher magistrate in ancient Athens.

any ruler.

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Origin of archon

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

OTHER WORDS FROM archon

ar·chon·ship, noun

Words nearby archon

archly, archness, arch of aorta, arch of foot, arch of palate, archon, archoplasm, archosaur, archpriest, archrival, archsee

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use archon in a sentence

A teacher of philosophy during his early manhood, he spent his last years as archon and priest of Apollo in his native town.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume I|John Lord
Archon, rk′on, n. one of nine chief magistrates of ancient Athens.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)|Various
Its meetings were held in the open air, and its members were selected from those who had held the office of archon.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2|Various
At Athens the chief archon of the year was known as the ἄρχων ἐπώνυμος, as the year was known by his name.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 6|Various

Attica at first was divided into separate and independent hamlets: each of which had its own Prutaneion, and Archon.
A New System; or, an Analysis of Antient Mythology. Volume II. (of VI.)|Jacob Bryant

British Dictionary definitions for archon

archon

/ (ˈɑːkɒn, -kən) /

noun

(in ancient Athens) one of the nine chief magistrates

Derived forms of archon

archonship, 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