archon

[ ahr-kon ]

noun

a higher magistrate in ancient Athens.
any ruler.

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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

Origin of archon

C17: from Greek arkhōn ruler, from arkhein to rule

Derived forms of archon

archonship, noun

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

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