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monarch

1. A sole or supreme ruler; a sovereign; the highest ruler; an emperor, king, queen, prince, or chief. He who reigns Monarch in heaven, . Upheld by old repute. (milton)

2. One superior to all others of the same kind; as, an oak is called the monarch of the forest.

3. A patron deity or presiding genius. Come, thou, monarch of the vine, Plumpy bacchus. (Shak)

4. (Science: zoology) A very large red and black butterfly (Danais Plexippus).

Synonym: milkweed butterfly.

Origin: F. Monarque, L. Monarcha, fr. Gr,; alone _ to be first, rule, govern. See Archi-.