View source for Archenemy

{{Short description|Main enemy of someone}} 
{{other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
[[File:Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls.jpg|thumb|right|[[Sherlock Holmes]] wrestling against his archenemy [[Professor Moriarty]].]]In literature, an '''archenemy''' (sometimes spelled as '''arch-enemy''') or '''archnemesis''' is the main [[enemy]] of someone.<ref name="arch-dict">{{cite web |url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/archenemy |title=archenemy definition |publisher=[[Dictionary.com]] |access-date=7 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005075529/http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/archenemy |archive-date=5 October 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="DefMerriam-Webster">{{cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archenemy|title=archenemy – Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary|publisher=[[Merriam-Webster]]|access-date=26 June 2008}}</ref><ref name="BBCLearningEng">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1837_aae/page23.shtml|title=BBC World Service {{!}} Learning English {{!}} Ask about English|last=Wicaksono|first=Rachel|publisher=BBC|access-date=26 June 2008}}</ref> 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-''<ref name="BBCLearningEng"/> (from [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] ἄρχω ''archo'' meaning 'to lead') and ''enemy''.<ref name="arch-dict"/>

An archenemy may also be referred to as an '''archrival''',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archrival|title=Definition of ARCHRIVAL|website=merriam-webster.com|language=en|access-date=2019-10-11}}</ref> '''archfoe''',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archfoe|title=Definition of ARCHFOE|website=merriam-webster.com}}</ref> '''archvillain''',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archvillain|title=Definition of ARCHVILLAIN|website=merriam-webster.com|language=en|access-date=2019-10-11}}</ref> or '''archnemesis'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archnemesis|title=Definition of ARCHNEMESIS|website=merriam-webster.com}}</ref> 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.<ref>Sage Michael, ''How to Become a Superhero: the Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate You!'' (2011), p. 228.</ref>

==See also==
* [[Antagonist]]
* [[Supervillain]]
* [[Villain]]

==References==
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[[Category:Rivalry]]
[[Category:Stock characters]]
[[Category:Superhero fiction themes]]
[[Category:Supervillains]]


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