2006-10-06 11:45:14 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
Although it sounds like two words, it is actually one word: archenemy, which means principle enemy
2006-10-06 11:56:02 · answer #1 · answered by kidd 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Etymology. Look at the meaning of the word.
Arch comes from Greek, (arkhos). It means main, chief or principal. If you use the prefix arch- in front of most terms it carries the term to its extreme. ARCH enemy means EXTREME, enemy-most enemy, the worst of the worst.
If you look up arch-(etc) you will see many different words and types of words which reflect "extreme"
archangel (highest ranking angel), archbishop(ranking), archetype (a template of type), archduchess (ranking), etc...
arch (adj.) 1547, "chief, principal," from prefix arch- (from Gk. arkhos "chief"), used in 12c. archangel, etc., but extended to so many derogatory uses (arch-rogue, arch-knave, etc.) that it acquired a meaning of "roguish, mischievous," since softened to "saucy" (1662). Also found in archwife (c.1386) "A wife of a superior order."
With the specific usage of archenemy also there is a subtle biblical reference to people who study the history of words which you might consider to be anachronistic--the ultimate archenemy would be the fallen archangel which would be the devil. That specific reference would be pretty obscure nowadays, but if you had had a conversation with someone in the middle ages, they'd have immediately identified their archenemy as satan, etc.
2006-10-06 11:52:53 · answer #2 · answered by maî 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An archenemy is used, in religion, often as the evil incarnate that plagues or tortures the god or gods. aka "equal but opposing force"
2006-10-06 11:56:27 · answer #3 · answered by smalldogmotorcycles 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it's because when you think of that person something about you arches, eyebrow, lips, attitude, ect.
2006-10-06 11:49:00 · answer #4 · answered by Neea_Gastino 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋