exarch

¹ American  

[ek-sahrk] / ˈɛk sɑrk /

noun

1. Eastern Church.

   1. a patriarch's deputy.

   2. a title originally applied to a patriarch but later applied only to a bishop ranking below a patriarch and above a metropolitan.

2. the ruler of a province in the Byzantine Empire.

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exarch ² American  

[ek-sahrk] / ˈɛk sɑrk /

adjective

Botany.

1. (of a primary xylem or root) developing from the center; having the youngest cells closest to the core.

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exarch ¹ British  

/ ˈɛksɑːk /

noun

1. the head of certain autonomous Orthodox Christian Churches, such as that of Bulgaria and Cyprus

2. any of certain Eastern Orthodox bishops, lower in rank than a patriarch but higher than a metropolitan

3. the governor of a province in the Byzantine Empire

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exarch ² British  

/ ˈɛksɑːk /

adjective

1. botany (of a xylem strand) having the first-formed xylem external to that formed later Compare endarch mesarch

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Other Word Forms

• exarchal adjective

Etymology

Origin of exarch¹

1580–90; < Late Latin exarchus superintendent < Greek éxarchos overseer, leader, equivalent to ex- ex- ³ + -archos -arch

Origin of exarch²

1890–95; ex- ² + Greek archḗ beginning

Example Sentences

Most colorful visitors at the opening last week were the Russian and Eastern Orthodox representatives�bearded patriarchs like Archimandrite Vitaly of Russia, Archbishop Panteleimon of Greece and Metropolitan Germanos, Greek Orthodox exarch for Western Europe.

From Time Magazine Archive

A third under the exarch Paul, who caused troops to march against Rome.

From The Formation of Christendom, Volume VII by Allies, Thomas W.

The representation of the see was vested in the three chief officers; the primicerius of the notaries, the archpriest and the archdeacon informed of the fact the exarch of Ravenna.

From The Formation of Christendom, Volume VII by Allies, Thomas W.

It was well governed by the aged exarch Heraclius, who was so well liked in the province that the emperor had not dared to depose him.

From The Byzantine Empire by Oman, Charles William Chadwick

For a long time no opposition was perceived; when the last exarch fell into the Lombard king's power Rome seemed to be the sure prey of him who had won Ravenna.

From The Formation of Christendom, Volume VII by Allies, Thomas W.