-arch

a combining form meaning “chief, leader, ruler,” used in the formation of compound words:

monarch; matriarch; heresiarch.

Origin

< Greek -archos or -archēs, as comb. forms of árchos leader; cf. archi-

British Dictionary definitions for -arch

combining form

leader; ruler; chief: patriarch, monarch, heresiarch

Word Origin

from Greek -arkhēs, from arkhein to rule; compare arch-

Word Origin and History for -arch

word-forming element meaning "a ruler," from Greek arkhos "leader, chief, ruler," from arkhe "beginning, origin, first place" (see archon).