'archenemy' originates from the Greek word 'archi-' meaning 'chief' or 'principal' and 'enemy' from Latin 'inimicus', where 'in-' meant 'not' and 'amicus' meant 'friend'.

'archenemy' evolved from the Old French word 'arche-enemi', which was used in the 13th century, and eventually became the modern English word 'archenemy'.

Initially, it meant 'chief enemy', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.