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ἀρχῇ

ἀρχή

dative singular feminine of ἀρχή

1. beginning, origin
2. ruler, authority
3. rule, dominion
4. first principle

Built from

• ἀρχ — root · begin, lead
  The core notion is temporal priority (first) and hence authority and dominion (that which comes first).
• ῇ — ending · dative singular
  The dative marks location, instrument, or indirect object; here likely locative ("in/at the beginning") or instrumental ("by means of the rule").

Etymology. From root *ἀρχ- (to begin, lead). The concrete sense of 'beginning' undergirds the abstract sense of 'first principle' and the social sense of 'rule' or 'authority' (that which comes first in command). Cognate with English "arch-" prefix (as in "architect," one who leads/begins the building), and Latin "arcere" (to shut in, constrain — hence 'rule').

Dictionary entry by Claude.

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