monarch
monarch Lexical Profile
monarch Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A sovereign head of state, especially a king, queen, or emperor, who normally rules for life and holds the title by hereditary succession.
"The constitutional monarch performs ceremonial duties while elected officials govern the country."
A large migratory butterfly (Danaus plexippus) of the family Nymphalidae, native primarily to North America, characterized by bright orange wings patterned with black veins and white-spotted borders, whose caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed.
"Every autumn, millions of monarchs migrate thousands of miles south to overwinter in the mountain forests of central Mexico."
Any of various small, insectivorous passerine birds of the family Monarchidae (monarch flycatchers), native to wooded habitats across sub-Saharan Africa, southern Asia, Australasia, and Pacific islands, noted for their broad bills, slender builds, and often boldly patterned or crested plumage.
"A brightly colored black-naped monarch darted through the tropical canopy to catch a flying insect."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin monarcha, from Ancient Greek monarkhes ('one who rules alone'), formed from monos ('alone, single') and arkhein ('to rule').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.