n. 1 a sovereign with the title of king, queen, emperor, empress, or the equivalent. 2 a supreme ruler. 3 a powerful or pre-eminent person. 4 a large orange and black butterfly, Danaus plexippus. monarchal adj. monarchic adj. monarchical adj. monarchically adv.
[ ME f. F monarque or LL monarcha f. Gk monarkhes, -os, f. monos alone + arkho to rule ]