An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Erz-

by Friedrich Kluge

Erz-, prefix, ‘arch-, chief,’ from MidHG. ęrz-; comp. MidHG. ęrz-ęngel, -bischof, -priester; OHG. only in ęrzi-bischof; corresponding to Du. aarts in aarts-engel, aartsbisschop, AS. arcebiscop, E. archbishop, AS. arcęngel, E. archangel; from the Lat.-Gr. prefix archi- (ἀρχι-), much affected in ecclesiastical words. HG. and Du. exhibit the late Lat. pronunciation, arci (see Kreuz); Goth. ark-aggilus, ‘archangel,’ from archangelus, like AS. arce-, retain the older sound of the c. Comp. also Arzt.