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In literature, an archenemy (sometimes spelled as arch-enemy) or archnemesis is the main enemy of the protagonistโor sometimes, one of the other main charactersโappearing as the most prominent and most-known enemy of the hero.[1][2][3]
Etymology
editThe word archenemy originated around the mid-16th century, from the words arch-[3] (from Greek แผฯฯฯ archo meaning 'to lead') and enemy.[1]
An archenemy may also be referred to as an archrival,[4] archfoe,[5] archvillain,[6] or archnemesis,[7] but an archenemy may also be distinguished from an archnemesis, with the latter being an enemy whom the hero cannot defeat (or who defeats the hero), even while not being a longstanding or consistent enemy to the hero.[8]
The archenemy should not be confused with the proper meaning of Nemesis โ the Greek goddess of justice, retribution, and vengeance โ who delivered divine punishment on those who committed great offences against the gods and the world.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "archenemy definition". Dictionary.com. Archived from the original on 5 October 2008. Retrieved 7 September 2008.
- ^ "archenemy โ Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary". Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 26 June 2008.
- ^ a b Wicaksono, Rachel. "BBC World Service | Learning English | Ask about English". BBC. Retrieved 26 June 2008.
- ^ "Definition of ARCHRIVAL". merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- ^ "Definition of ARCHFOE". merriam-webster.com.
- ^ "Definition of ARCHVILLAIN". merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- ^ "Definition of ARCHNEMESIS". merriam-webster.com.
- ^ Sage Michael, How to Become a Superhero: the Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate You! (2011), p. 228.
- ^ Collins English Dictionary. Harper Collins. 1991. p.ย 1046. ISBNย 0-00-433286-5.
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