Philosophy & ThoughtGreek → English
Anarchy
A state of disorder due to absence of authority.
The Greek roots
ἀν-
an-
without
ἀρχός
archós
ruler
Literally: “without a ruler”
The story of the word
'No ruler' — the archós ('ruler') also anchors monarchy, hierarchy, and matriarch.
In a sentence
The blackout brought a night of near anarchy.