archnemesis

noun

arch·​nem·​e·​sis (ˌ)ärch-ˈne-mə-səs 

plural archnemeses (ˌ)ärch-ˈne-mə-ˌsēz 

: archrival

Ratchet and Clank are split up after the spritelike beings called the Zoni whisk Clank away. Players soon find out Dr. Nefarious, their archnemesis, was partly behind the kidnapping.

—Gieson Cacho, Contra Costa Times (California), 10 Dec. 2009

Word History

Etymology

arch- entry 1 + nemesis

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

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