Arch - Archipelago

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Arch- (ärch-, except in archangel and one or two other words). [L. arch-, Gr. 'arch- = 'archi-. See .] A prefix signifying chief, as in archbuilder, archfiend.
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Arch (ärch), a. [See , pref.] 1. Chief; eminent; greatest; principal.
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The most arch act of piteous massacre. Shak.
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2. Cunning or sly; sportively mischievous; roguish; as, an arch look, word, lad.
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[He] spoke his request with so arch a leer. Tatler.
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Arch, n. [See , pref.] A chief. [Obs.]
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My worthy arch and patron comes to-night. Shak.
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-arch (�). [Gr. 'archos chief, commander, 'archein to rule. See , a.] A suffix meaning a ruler, as in monarch (a sole ruler).
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Archæan (�), a. [Gr. 'archai^os ancient, fr. 'archh beginning.] Ancient; pertaining to the earliest period in geological history.
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Archæan, n. (Geol.) The earliest period in geological period, extending up to the Lower Silurian. It includes an Azoic age, previous to the appearance of life, and an Eozoic age, including the earliest forms of life.
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☞ This is equivalent to the formerly accepted term Azoic, and to the Eozoic of Dawson.
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Archæography (ärk�ŏgrȧf�), n. [Gr. 'archai^os ancient + -graphy.] A description of, or a treatise on, antiquity or antiquities.
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Archæolithic (ärk��lĭthĭk), a. [Gr. 'archai^os ancient + liqikos pertaining to a stone.] (Archæol.) Of or pertaining to the earliest Stone age; -- applied to a prehistoric period preceding the Paleolithic age.
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Archæologian (ärk��lōjĭ�n), n. An archæologist.
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{ Archæologic (ärk��lŏjĭk), Archæological (ärk��lŏjĭk�l), } Relating to archæology, or antiquities; as, archæological researches. -- Archæologically, adv.
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Archæologist (ärk�ŏl�jĭst), n. One versed in archæology; an antiquary. Wright.
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Archæology (ärk�ŏl�j�), n. [Gr. 'archaiologia; 'archai^os ancient (fr. 'archh beginning) + logos discourse, legein to speak.] The science or study of antiquities, esp. prehistoric antiquities, such as the remains of buildings or monuments of an early epoch, inscriptions, implements, and other relics, written manuscripts, etc.
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Archæopteryx (�), n. [Gr. 'archai^os ancient + pteryx wing.] (Paleon.) A fossil bird, of the Jurassic period, remarkable for having a long tapering tail of many vertebræ with feathers along each side, and jaws armed with teeth, with other reptilian characteristics.
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archaeornis n. 1. an extinct primitive toothed bird with a long feathered tail and three free clawed digits on each wing.
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Archaeornithes n. 1. 1 a subclass of primitive reptilelike fossil birds of the Jurassic or early Cretaceous.
Syn. -- subclass Archaeornithes
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Archæostomatous (�), a. [Gr. 'archai^os ancient + stoma mouth.] (Biol.) Applied to a gastrula when the blastopore does not entirely close up.
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archaeozoic, Archæozoic (�), a. [Gr. 'archai^os ancient + zw^,on animal.] (Zoöl.) Like or belonging to the earliest forms of animal life.
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2. (Geol.) formed in or belonging to the earlier of two divisions of the Precambrian era. archaeozoic life forms
Syn. -- archeozoic
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Archaeozoic n. [Gr. 'archai^os ancient + zw^,on animal.] the time from 1.5 billion to 5 billion years ago; the time when the earth's crust formed; a time when only unicellular organisms and the earliest forms of life are present.
Syn. -- Archeozoic, Archeozoic era, Archaeozoic era
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Archaic (�), a. [Gr. 'archai:kos old-fashioned, fr. 'archai^os ancient.] Of or characterized by antiquity or archaism; antiquated; obsolescent.
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Archaical (�), a. Archaic. [R.] -- Archaically, adv.
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Archaism (�), n. [Gr. 'archai:smos, fr. 'archai^os ancient, fr. 'archh beginning: cf. F. archaïsme. See , a.] 1. An ancient, antiquated, or old-fashioned, word, expression, or idiom; a word or form of speech no longer in common use.
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2. Antiquity of style or use; obsoleteness.
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A select vocabulary corresponding (in point of archaism and remoteness from ordinary use) to our Scriptural vocabulary. De Quincey.
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Archaist, n. 1. Am antiquary.
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2. One who uses archaisms.
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Archaistic (�), a. Like, or imitative of, anything archaic; pertaining to an archaism.
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Archaize (�), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Archaized (�); p. pr. & vb. n. Archaizing.] [Gr. 'archai:zein.] To make appear archaic or antique. Mahaffy.
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Archangel (�), n. [L. archangelus, Gr. 'archaggelos: cf. OF. archangel, F. archange. See , pref., and .] 1. A chief angel; one high in the celestial hierarchy. Milton.
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2. (Bot.) A term applied to several different species of plants (Angelica archangelica, Lamium album, etc.).
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Archangelic (�), a. [Cf. F. archangélique.] Of or pertaining to archangels; of the nature of, or resembling, an archangel. Milton.
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Archbishop (�), n. [AS. arcebisceop, arcebiscop, L. archiepiscopus, fr. Gr. 'archiepiskopos. See .] A chief bishop; a church dignitary of the first class (often called a metropolitan or primate) who superintends the conduct of the suffragan bishops in his province, and also exercises episcopal authority in his own diocese.
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Archbishopric (�), n. [AS. arcebiscoprīce. See .] The jurisdiction or office of an archbishop; the see or province over which archbishop exercises archiepiscopal authority.
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Arch brick (�). A wedge-shaped brick used in the building of an arch.
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Archbutler (�), n. [Pref. arch- + butler.] A chief butler; -- an officer of the German empire.
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Archchamberlain (�), n. [Cf. G. erzkämmerer. See , pref.] A chief chamberlain; -- an officer of the old German empire, whose office was similar to that of the great chamberlain in England.
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Archchancellor (�), n. [Cf. Ger. erzkanzler. See , pref.] A chief chancellor; -- an officer in the old German empire, who presided over the secretaries of the court.
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Archchemic (�), a. Of supreme chemical powers. [R.] “The archchemic sun.” Milton.
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Archdeacon (�), n. [AS. arcediacon, archidiacon, L. archidiaconus, fr. Gr. �. See , pref., and .] In England, an ecclesiastical dignitary, next in rank below a bishop, whom he assists, and by whom he is appointed, though with independent authority. Blackstone.
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Archdeaconry, n. The district, office, or residence of an archdeacon. See .
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Every diocese is divided into archdeaconries. Blackstone.
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Archdeaconship, n. The office of an archdeacon.
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Archdiocese (�), n. [Pref. arch- + diocese.] The diocese of an archbishop.
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Archducal (�), a. Of or pertaining to an archduke or archduchy.
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Archduchess (�), n. [Pref. arch- + duchess.] The consort of an archduke; also, a princess of the imperial family of Austria. See .
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Archduchy, n. The territory of an archduke or archduchess. Ash.
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Archduke (�), n. [Pref. arch- + duke.] A prince of the imperial family of Austria.
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☞ Formerly this title was assumed by the rulers of Lorraine, Brabant, Austria, etc. It is now appropriated to the descendants of the imperial family of Austria through the make line, all such male descendants being styled archduke, and all such female descendants archduchesses.
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Archdukedom (�), n. An archduchy.
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Archebiosis (�), n. [Pref. arche- = archi- + Gr. biwsis, bios, life.] The origination of living matter from non-living. See . Bastian.
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Arched (�), a. Made with an arch or curve; covered with an arch; as, an arched door.
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Archegonial (�), a. Relating to the archegonium.
Syn. -- archegoniate, archegonical. [ Webster]

archegoniate archegonical adj. 1. of or pertaining to an archegonium.
Syn. -- archegonial
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2. bearing archegonia.
Syn. -- archegonial
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Archegonium (�), n. [NL., fr. Gr. � the first of a race.] (Bot.) The pistillidium or female organ in the higher cryptogamic plants, corresponding to the pistil in flowering plants.
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Archegony (�), n. [See .] (Biol.) Spontaneous generation; abiogenesis.
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Archelogy (�), n. [Gr. � an element or first principle + -logy.] The science of, or a treatise on, first principles. Fleming.
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Archencephala (�), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. pref. � + � the brain.] (Zoöl.) The division that includes man alone. R. Owen.
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Archenemy (�), n. [Pref. arch- + enemy.] A principal enemy. Specifically, Satan, the grand adversary of mankind. Milton.
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Archenteric (�), a. (Biol.) Relating to the archenteron; as, archenteric invagination.
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Archenteron, n. [Pref. arch- + Gr. � intestine.] (Biol.) The primitive enteron or undifferentiated digestive sac of a gastrula or other embryo. See Illust. under .
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archeological adj. 1. of or pertaining to archeology. archeological excavations
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2. related to or dealing with or devoted to archaeology. an archeological dig
Syn. -- archaeological, archaeologic, archeologic
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archeologist n. 1. 1 an anthropologist who studies prehistoric people and their culture.
Syn. -- archaeologist.
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Archeology (�), n., Archeological (�), a. the branch of anthropology that studies prehistoric people and their cultures. Same as , etc.
Syn. -- archaeology, Archæology
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archeopteryx n. 1. an extinct primitive toothed bird (Archaeopteryx lithographica) of the Upper Jurassic having a long feathered tail and hollow bones; usually considered the most primitive of all known birds. Same as .
Syn. -- archaeopteryx.
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archeozoic adj. 1. 1 (Geol.) same as .
Syn. -- archaeozoic
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Archeozoic n. 1. 1 the time from 1.5 billion to 5 billion years ago, when the earth's crust was formed; the time when only unicellular organisms and the earliest forms of life are present. Same as .
Syn. -- Archaeozoic, Archeozoic era, Archaeozoic era
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archepiscopal adj. 1. of or pertaining to an archbishop. an archepiscopal see
Syn. -- archiepiscopal
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Archer (�), n. [archier, F. archer, LL. arcarius, fr. L. arcus bow. See , , n.] A bowman, one skilled in the use of the bow and arrow.
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Archeress (�), n. A female archer. Markham.
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Archer fish (�). (Zoöl.) A small fish (Toxotes jaculator), of the East Indies; -- so called from its ejecting drops of water from its mouth at its prey. The name is also applied to Chætodon rostratus.
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Archership, n. The art or skill of an archer.
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Archery (�), n. [OE. archerie.] 1. The use of the bow and arrows in battle, hunting, etc.; the art, practice, or skill of shooting with a bow and arrows.
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2. Archers, or bowmen, collectively.
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Let all our archery fall off
In wings of shot a-both sides of the van. Webster (1607).
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Arches (�), pl. of , n.
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Coloq. Court of arches , or Coloq. Arches Court (Eng. Law), the court of appeal of the Archbishop of Canterbury, whereof the judge, who sits as deputy to the archbishop, is called the Dean of the Arches, because he anciently held his court in the church of St. Mary-le-Bow (de arcubus). It is now held in Westminster. Mozley & W.
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archespore n. same as .
Syn. -- archesporium.
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archesporial adj. 1. of or pertaining to an archespore.
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archesporium n. 1. a primitive cell or group of cells from which a mother cell develops.
Syn. -- archespore.
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Archetypal (�), a. Of or pertaining to an archetype; consisting a model (real or ideal) or pattern; original. “One archetypal mind.” Gudworth.
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☞ Among Platonists, the archetypal world is the world as it existed as an idea of God before the creation.
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Archetypally, adv. With reference to the archetype; originally. “Parts archetypally distinct.” Dana.
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Archetype (ärk�tīp), n. [L. archetypum, Gr. 'archetypon, fr. 'archetypos stamped first and as model; 'arche = 'archi + typos stamp, figure, pattern, typtein to strike: cf. F. archétype. See , pref.] 1. The original pattern or model of a work; or the model from which a thing is made or formed.
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The House of Commons, the archetype of all the representative assemblies which now meet. Macaulay.
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Types and shadows of that glorious archetype that was to come into the world. South.
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2. (Coinage) The standard weight or coin by which others are adjusted.
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3. (Biol.) The plan or fundamental structure on which a natural group of animals or plants or their systems of organs are assumed to have been constructed; as, the vertebrate archetype.
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Archetypical (�), a. Relating to an archetype; archetypal.
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Archeus (�), n. [LL. archēus, Gr. 'archai^os ancient, primeval, fr. 'archh beginning. See , pref.] The vital principle or force which (according to the Paracelsians) presides over the growth and continuation of living beings; the anima mundi or plastic power of the old philosophers. [Obs.] Johnson.
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Archi- (�). [L., archi-, Gr. 'archi-, a prefix which is from the same root as 'archein to be first, to begin; 'archh the first place, beginning; 'archos chief. Cf. AS. arce-, erce-, OHG. erzi-, G. erz-.] A prefix signifying chief, arch; as, architect, archiepiscopal. In (Biol.) and (Anat.) it usually means primitive, original, ancestral; as, archipterygium, the primitive fin or wing.
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Archiannelida (�), n. pl. [NL.; pref. archi- + annelida.] (Zoöl.) A group of Annelida remarkable for having no external segments or distinct ventral nerve ganglions.
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Archiater (�), n. [L. archiatrus, Gr. �; pref. � + � physician, � to heal.] Chief physician; -- a term applied, on the continent of Europe, to the first or body physician of princes and to the first physician of some cities. P. Cyc.
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Archibald wheel (?). A metal-hubbed wheel of great strength and elasticity, esp. adapted for artillery carriages and motor cars.
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Archiblastula (�), n. [Pref. archi + blastula.] (Biol.) A hollow blastula, supposed to be the primitive form; a cœloblastula.
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Archical (�), a. [Gr. 'archikos able to govern, fr. 'archh beginning, government. See , pref.] Chief; primary; primordial. [Obs.] Cudworth.
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Archidiaconal (�), a. [L. archidiaconus, Gr. �, equiv. to E. archdeacon.] Of or pertaining to an archdeacon.
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This offense is liable to be censured in an archidiaconal visitation. Johnson.
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Archiepiscopacy (�), n. [Pref. archi- + episcopacy.] 1. That form of episcopacy in which the chief power is in the hands of archbishops.
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2. The state or dignity of an archbishop.
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Archiepiscopal (�), a. [Pref. archi- + episcopal.] Of or pertaining to an archbishop; as, Canterbury is an archiepiscopal see.
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Archiepiscopality (�), n. The station or dignity of an archbishop; archiepiscopacy. Fuller.
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Archiepiscopate (�), n. [Pref. archi- + episcopate.] The office of an archbishop; an archbishopric.
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Archierey (�), n. [Russ. archieréi, fr. Gr. �; pref. � (E. arch-) + ☞ priest.] The higher order of clergy in Russia, including metropolitans, archbishops, and bishops. Pinkerton.
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Archil (?; 277), n. [OF. orchel, orcheil, It. orcella, oricello, or OSp. orchillo. Cf. .] 1. A violet dye obtained from several species of lichen (Roccella tinctoria, etc.), which grow on maritime rocks in the Canary and Cape Verd Islands, etc. Tomlinson.
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2. The plant from which the dye is obtained. [Written also orchal and orchil.]
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Archilochian (�), a. [L. Archilochius.] Of or pertaining to the satiric Greek poet Archilochus; as, Archilochian meter.
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{ Archimage (�), Archimagus (�), } n. [NL.; pref. archi- + L. magus, Gr. �, a Magian.] 1. The high priest of the Persian Magi, or worshipers of fire.
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2. A great magician, wizard, or enchanter. Spenser.
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Archimandrite (�), n. [L. archimandrita, LGr. �; pref. � (E. arch-) + � an inclosed space, esp. for cattle, a fold, a monastery.] (Gr. Church) (a) A chief of a monastery, corresponding to abbot in the Roman Catholic church. (b) A superintendent of several monasteries, corresponding to superior abbot, or father provincial, in the Roman Catholic church.
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Archimedean (�), a. [L. Archimedeus.] Of or pertaining to Archimedes, a celebrated Greek philosopher; constructed on the principle of Archimedes' screw; as, Archimedean drill, propeller, etc.
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Coloq. Archimedean screw , or Coloq. Archimedes' screw , an instrument, said to have been invented by Archimedes, for raising water, formed by winding a flexible tube round a cylinder in the form of a screw. When the screw is placed in an inclined position, and the lower end immersed in water, by causing the screw to revolve, the water is raised to the upper end. Francis.
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Archimedes (�), n. (Paleon.) An extinct genus of Bryzoa characteristic of the subcarboniferous rocks. Its form is that of a screw.
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Arching (�), n. 1. The arched part of a structure.
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2. (Naut.) Hogging; -- opposed to sagging.
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archipallium n. 1. 1 the olfactory cortex of the cerebrum.
Syn. -- paleocortex
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Archipelagic (�), a. Of or pertaining to an archipelago.
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Archipelago, n.; pl. -goes or -gos (�). [It. arcipelago, properly, chief sea; Gr. pref � + � sea, perh. akin to � blow, and expressing the beating of the waves. See .]
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1. The Grecian Archipelago, or Ægean Sea, separating Greece from Asia Minor. It is studded with a vast number of small islands.
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2. Hence: Any sea or broad sheet of water interspersed with many islands or with a group of islands.
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