name
Archie
AHT-shee
name
1
A shortened, informal form of the given name Archibald, also used on its own.
"Everyone just calls him Archie, never Archibald."
noun
1
An old slang term for anti-aircraft artillery, used by British and Commonwealth airmen.
"The pilots joked nervously about dodging archie over enemy territory."
How to Use Archie
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common nickname for Archibald, or old slang for anti-aircraft fire.
Word Forms
Archies plural, Archies plural
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Etymology
A clipped form of "Archibald"; the anti-aircraft sense reportedly comes from a music-hall song refrain shouted by pilots under fire.