The most notorious or leading figure among rebels; someone who rebels against authority to the most extreme degree.
From 'arch-' (chief, principal) + 'rebel' (from Latin 'rebellare,' from 'bellum' meaning war—literally 'to war again'). 'Archrebel' appears in historical texts from the 16th century onward.
Medieval and Renaissance chroniclers used 'archrebel' for leaders like Wat Tyler or Joan of Arc—people whose rebellion was so significant they seemed to lead all rebels. The word reveals how societies fear charismatic resistance leaders.
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