MONARCH

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does monarch mean? 

• MONARCH (noun)
  The noun MONARCH has 2 senses:

1. a nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right

2. large migratory American butterfly having deep orange wings with black and white markings; the larvae feed on milkweed

  Familiarity information: MONARCH used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MONARCH (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

crowned head; monarch; sovereign

Hypernyms ("monarch" is a kind of...):

chief of state; head of state (the chief public representative of a country who may also be the head of government)

ruler; swayer (a person who rules or commands)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "monarch"):

Capetian (a member of the Capetian dynasty)

Carlovingian; Carolingian (a member of the Carolingian dynasty)

czar; tsar; tzar (a male monarch or emperor (especially of Russia prior to 1917))

emperor (the male ruler of an empire)

king; male monarch; Rex (a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom)

Merovingian (a member of the Merovingian dynasty)

Shah; Shah of Iran (title for the former hereditary monarch of Iran)

Derivation:

monarchal (ruled by or having the supreme power resting with a monarch)

monarchal (having the characteristics of or befitting or worthy of a monarch)

monarchic; monarchical (ruled by or having the supreme power resting with a monarch)

monarchical (having the characteristics of or befitting or worthy of a monarch)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Large migratory American butterfly having deep orange wings with black and white markings; the larvae feed on milkweed

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Synonyms:

Danaus plexippus; milkweed butterfly; monarch; monarch butterfly

Hypernyms ("monarch" is a kind of...):

danaid; danaid butterfly (large tropical butterfly with degenerate forelegs and an unpleasant taste)

Holonyms ("monarch" is a member of...):

Danaus; genus Danaus (type genus of the Danaidae: monarch butterflies)

 Context examples 

As I understand it, there was peace made at the town of Bretigny some six years back between our most gracious monarch and the King of the French.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

No signs that a 'Scottish monarch sleeps below.'

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

This was my sincere endeavour in those many discourses I had with that monarch, although it unfortunately failed of success.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

“He would have risen against all constraint; but he found himself the monarch of the place, and he haughtily determined to be worthy of his station. It was like himself.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

It is always a joy to meet an American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Noble and generous prince!” cried the little monarch.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

By this oblique motion, the island is conveyed to different parts of the monarch’s dominions.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

As my mother stooped down on the threshold to take me in her arms and kiss me, the gentleman said I was a more highly privileged little fellow than a monarch—or something like that; for my later understanding comes, I am sensible, to my aid here.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

He turned away, accompanied by the two monarchs, while the rest of the company, with many a compressed lip and menacing eye, filed slowly through the side-door to the great chamber in which the royal tables were set forth.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

This loadstone is under the care of certain astronomers, who, from time to time, give it such positions as the monarch directs.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)