%archeus%

‖n. [ LL. archēus, Gr. 'archai^os ancient, primeval, fr. 'archh` 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. [ Obs. ] Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]