archon

[ ahr-kon ]

noun

1. a higher magistrate in ancient Athens.
2. any ruler.

archon

/ ˈɑːkɒn; -kən /

noun

1. (in ancient Athens) one of the nine chief magistrates

Derived Forms

• ˈarchonˌship, noun

Other Words From

• archon·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of archon¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of archon¹

C17: from Greek arkhōn ruler, from arkhein to rule

Example Sentences

All those years of running from city to city one step ahead of the Usurper's knives, pleading for help from archons and princes and magisters, buying our food with flattery.

From Literature

Had such heresies been spoken in Athens, where the effects of a religious revival were still in force, the “secular arm” of the archons would probably have made short work of Xenophanes.

From Project Gutenberg

Old forms and names remain—there are still consuls and archons, poets and philosophers, but the atmosphere is another, and the names have a new meaning, if they have any at all.

From Project Gutenberg

Parasites were two in number for each of the archons, and one for the polemarchs.

From Project Gutenberg

They alone held the two offices, those of polemarch and archon, which were instituted during the 8th century B.C. to restrict the powers of the kings.

From Project Gutenberg