'archlexicographer' originates from Greek prefix 'arch-' and from the element 'lexicographer' (ultimately from Greek 'lexis' and 'graphein'), where 'arch-' meant 'chief' and 'lexis' meant 'word' while 'graphein' meant 'to write'.

'archlexicographer' is a modern English compound formed by prefixing 'arch-' to the established noun 'lexicographer' (which came into English via Medieval Latin/Old French from Greek roots); the compound itself is a recent coinage in English rather than a form with medieval precedent.

Initially the components meant 'chief' + 'dictionary-writer', and the compound has retained that literal sense; in recent usage it may also be used figuratively to mean an extreme or authoritative enthusiast of dictionaries.