Archbishop
/ˌɑːr.tʃˈbɪʃ.əp/noun
A bishop of the highest rank, usually overseeing an archdiocese or province.
Did you know?The first element, arch-, comes from Greek archē meaning “rule” or “beginning,” the same root behind words tied to leadership and first principles.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
GRK
arkhiepiskopos
“chief overseer or principal bishop”
Late Latin
LAT
archiepiscopus
“chief bishop”
Old French
OFr
arcevesque
“archbishop”
Middle English
ME
archebisshop
“archbishop”
Modern English
EN
archbishop
“a bishop of the highest rank”