'archlute' is formed from the combining form 'arch-' (from Greek 'arkhi-' meaning 'chief, principal') + 'lute' (from Medieval Latin/Old French 'lute', ultimately from Arabic 'al-ʿūd').

'lute' entered English via Medieval Latin and Old French from Arabic 'al-ʿūd'; the compound 'archlute' was created in English (17th century) by prefixing 'arch-' to 'lute' to denote a principal or extended form of the instrument.

Initially coined to denote a 'principal' or specially extended lute with additional bass strings, the term has retained that specialized musical-instrument meaning into modern usage.