trierarch

noun

tri·​er·​arch ˈtrī(-ə)-ˌrärk 

1

: the commander of a trireme

2

: an Athenian citizen who had to fit out a trireme for the public service

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

To fund their liturgy as a trierarch, a rich taxpayer spent what a skilled worker earned in 10 to 20 years of steady pay, but instead of dodging this responsibility, most embraced it. Thomas Martin, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Latin trierarchus, from Greek triērarchos, from triērēs trireme (from tri- + -ērēs — akin to Latin remus oar) + -archos -arch — more at row

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1