archon noun. ['ɑ:kǝn] Pl. archons, archontes [ɑ:'kɒnti:z]. L16.
[Greek arkhōn, arkhont- ruler, use as noun of pres. pple of arkhein to rule.]
1. The chief magistrate, or, after the time of Solon, each of the nine chief magistrates, of ancient Athens. L16.

2. A ruler, a president. M18.

3. A power subordinate to God, held by some of the Gnostics to have created the world. M18.

■ archonship noun the position of an Athenian archon L17.

■ archontate noun the tenure of office of an Athenian archon M18.

■ ar'chontic noun & adjective (a) noun a member of a sect of Gnostics who believed that the world was created by archons; (b) adjective of or pertaining to an archon: L16.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲