monarch Hear it!

monarch definition

mon·arch (män′ərk, -ärk′)

noun

  1. the single or sole ruler of a state
  2. the hereditary (often constitutional) head of a state; king, queen, etc.
  3. a person or thing that surpasses others of the same kind
  4. a large, migratory butterfly (Danaus plexippus) native to North America, having orange, black-edged wings: the larvae feed on milkweed

Etymology: LME monarcha < LL < Gr monarchēs < monos, alone + archein, to rule: see mono- & -arch

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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