monarch
nounUK /ˈmɒnək/ · US /ˈmɑnɚk/
Etymology From Middle French monarque, from Late Latin monarcha, from Ancient Greek μονάρχης (monárkhēs), variant of μόναρχος (mónarkhos, “sole ruler”), from μόνος (mónos, “only”) + ἀρχός (arkhós, “leader”), equivalent to mono- + -arch. * (butterfly): See monarch butterfly.
1
The ruler of an absolute monarchy or the head of state of a constitutional monarchy.
- Never was monarch better fear'd and lov'd / Than is your Majesty.1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii], page 25:
2
A monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) and others of genus Danaus, found primarily in North America.
- But I know the monarchs are close by, their orange-and-black wings folded, dusted, and baked by heat, ready to flee south.2019, Ocean Vuong, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, Jonathan Cape, page 223:
3
A police officer.
Aboriginal English
- ‘Skippy gets off. An ya know the first thing e says to them monarch? E turns round on em an yelps, “An now ya can just gimme back that bottle.”’1961, Nene Gare, The Fringe Dwellers, Text Classics, published 2012, page 41:
4
Capitalized, Often A stag which has sixteen or more points or tines on its antlers.
5
The chief or best thing of its kind.
6
Any bird of the family Monarchidae.
- Derived terms
- absolute monarch, African monarch, Biak monarch, constitutional monarch, false monarch, frilled monarch, golden monarch, monarch caterpillar, monarchess, monarch flycatcher, Monarchian, monarchic, monarchical, monarchism, monarchist, monarchistic, monarchize, monarchlike, monarch of all one surveys, monarchology, unmonarch