ARCHEUS

‖Ar‐che″us (�), n. [[LL. archēus, Gr. αρχαἰ̑οσ ancient, primeval, fr. αρχἤ beginning. See Archi-, pref.]] The vital principle or force which (according to the Paracelsians) presides over the growth and continuation of living beings; the anima mundi or plastic power of the old philosophers. Johnson.