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In literature, an archenemy (sometimes spelled as arch-enemy) or archnemesis is the main enemy of someone. In fiction, it is a character who is the protagonist's, commonly a hero's, most prominent and most-known enemy.

Etymology

The word archenemy sometimes spelled as arch-enemy originated around the mid-16th century, from the words arch- (from Greek ἄρχω archo meaning 'to lead') and enemy.

An archenemy may also be referred to as an archrival, archfoe, archvillain, or archnemesis. However, an archenemy may also be distinguished from a nemesis, 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.

See also

• Antagonist
• Supervillain
• Villain

References

1. ^ "archenemy definition". Dictionary.com. Archived from the original on 5 October 2008. Retrieved 7 September 2008.
2. "archenemy – Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary". Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 26 June 2008.
3. ^ Wicaksono, Rachel. "BBC World Service | Learning English | Ask about English". BBC. Retrieved 26 June 2008.
4. "Definition of ARCHRIVAL". merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
5. "Definition of ARCHFOE". merriam-webster.com.
6. "Definition of ARCHVILLAIN". merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
7. "Definition of ARCHNEMESIS". merriam-webster.com.
8. Sage Michael, How to Become a Superhero: the Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate You! (2011), p. 228.

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