Here's a breakdown of its evolution:
* "arkhe" (ἀρχή): This Greek word originally meant "beginning, origin, rule, command." It encompassed the ideas of starting, leading, and governing.
* "archē" (ἀρχῆ): This became the standard form of the word in later Greek.
* "arche" (ἄρχε): This form was adopted into Latin, signifying "rule, government, authority."
* "arch-" (arch-): This is the suffix we use today.
So, "-arch" essentially carries the legacy of the Greek concept of "beginning, leading, ruling."
How it's used:
The suffix "-arch" is typically attached to words to indicate:
* Leadership: Examples include "monarch" (sole ruler), "patriarch" (head of a family), and "archbishop" (chief bishop).
* Beginning: Examples include "archetype" (original model) and "archaeology" (study of ancient cultures).
* Superiority: Examples include "archangel" (chief angel) and "archduke" (chief duke).
It's worth noting that the "-arch" suffix can be combined with other word elements to create new terms with specific meanings.