'monarchy' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'monarkhia', where 'monos' meant 'alone' and 'arkhein' meant 'to rule'.

'monarkhia' transformed into the Latin word 'monarchia', and eventually became the modern English word 'monarchy'.

Initially, it meant 'sole rule', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a form of government with a monarch at the head'.