'archipresbyter' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'archipresbyteros', where 'archi-' meant 'chief' and 'presbyter' meant 'elder' or 'priest'.

'archipresbyter' changed from Medieval Latin 'archipresbyter' (borrowed from Greek 'archipresbyteros') into Middle English and eventually became the modern English word 'archipresbyter'.

Initially, it meant 'chief elder' or 'chief priest' in the church, and over time it retained that core meaning while its use became more specialized and largely historical or ceremonial in modern usage.