monarch

Etymology

From Middle French monarque, from Late Latin monarcha, from Ancient Greek μονάρχης (monárkhēs), variant of μόναρχος (mónarkhos, “sole ruler”), from μόνος (mónos, “only”) + ἀρχός (arkhós, “leader”).

noun

1. The ruler of an absolute monarchy or the head of state of a constitutional monarchy.
2. The monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, and others of genus Danaus, found primarily in North America, so called because of the designs on its wings.
   But I know the monarchs are close by, their orange-and-black wings folded, dusted, and baked by heat, ready to flee south. 2019, Ocean Vuong, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, Jonathan Cape, page 223
3. (Aboriginal English) A police officer.
   ‘Skippy gets off. An ya know the first thing e says to them monarch? E turns round on em an yelps, “An now ya can just gimme back that bottle.”’ 1961, Nene Gare, The Fringe Dwellers, Text Classics, published 2012, page 41
4. (often capitalised) A stag which has sixteen or more points or tines on its antlers.
5. The chief or best thing of its kind.
6. Any bird of the family Monarchidae.