tetrarch

[ te-trahrk, tee- ]

/ ˈtɛ trɑrk, ˈti- /

Save This Word!

noun

any ruler of a fourth part, division, etc.

a subordinate ruler.

one of four joint rulers or chiefs.

the ruler of the fourth part of a country or province in the ancient Roman Empire.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of tetrarch

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, tetrarcha, tetrarke, from Late Latin tetrarcha, variant of Latin tetrarchēs, from Greek tetrárchēs; see tetr-, -arch

OTHER WORDS FROM tetrarch

te·trar·chy, te·trarch·ate

[te-trahr-keyt, -kit, tee-], /ˈtɛ trɑrˌkeɪt, -kɪt, ˈti-/, nounte·trar·chic

[te-trahr-kik, ti-], /tɛˈtrɑr kɪk, tɪ-/, te·trar·chi·cal, adjective

Words nearby tetrarch

tetraploid, tetrapod, tetrapody, tetrapterous, tetrapylon, tetrarch, tetrarchy, tetrasporangium, tetraspore, tetrastich, tetrastichous

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

How to use tetrarch in a sentence

As if to confirm his fears the two soldiers begin discussing the Tetrarch's sombre looks.
Oscar Wilde|Leonard Cresswell Ingleby
Mention is also made of the mandate he received to carry it out in the shape of the Tetrarch's death ring.
Oscar Wilde|Leonard Cresswell Ingleby
The chorus, in the person of soldiers, once again draws attention to the sombre aspect of the Tetrarch.
Oscar Wilde|Leonard Cresswell Ingleby
Meanwhile the cowering Tetrarch covers his face with his cloak and a smile of triumph illumines the face of Herodias.
Oscar Wilde|Leonard Cresswell Ingleby

She told him she had gone up three in saying seven times in the multiplication table, and four in spelling "tetrarch."
A Little Girl in Old New York|Amanda Millie Douglas

British Dictionary definitions for tetrarch

tetrarch

/ (ˈtɛtrɑːk) /

noun

the ruler of one fourth of a country

a subordinate ruler, esp of Syria under the Roman Empire

the commander of one of the smaller subdivisions of a Macedonian phalanx

any of four joint rulers

Derived forms of tetrarch

tetrarchate (tɛˈtrɑːˌkeɪt, -kɪt), nountetrarchic or tetrarchical, adjectivetetrarchy, noun

Word Origin for tetrarch

C14: from Greek tetrarkhēs; see tetra-, -arch

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