arch
Greekrule, govern, chief, leader
About This Root
From Greek arkhein (to rule, be first). A powerhouse root for governance — monarch (sole ruler), anarchy (no ruler), hierarchy (sacred rule/ranked order), oligarch (rule by few), patriarch/matriarch (father/mother rule). The suffix -archy denotes a system of rule, while arch- as a prefix means 'chief' or 'primary'.
Associated Words · 12
hierarchy
A system of ranking people or things by authority or importance
archaeological
Relating to archaeology
monarch
A hereditary ruler such as a king or queen
monarchy
A system of government ruled by a hereditary monarch; a kingdom
patriarchal
Relating to a patriarch or a male-dominated social system
patriarch
The male head of a family or tribe; a revered founder or senior leader
anarchy
A state of lawlessness and disorder without government
patriarchy
A social system in which men hold dominant power and authority
anarchist
A person who advocates the absence of government and authority
oligarchy
Government controlled by a small powerful group
oligarch
A member of a small ruling group; a powerful wealthy person
matriarchy
A social system in which women hold primary authority