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Webster 1913 Edition

Arch

Arch

(ärch)
,
Noun.
[F.
arche
, fr. LL.
arca
, for
arcus
. See
Arc
.]
1.
(Geom.)
Any part of a curved line.
2.
(Arch.)
(a)
Usually a curved member made up of separate wedge-shaped solids, with the joints between them disposed in the direction of the radii of the curve; used to support the wall or other weight above an opening. In this sense arches are segmental, round (i. e., semicircular), or pointed.
(b)
A flat arch is a member constructed of stones cut into wedges or other shapes so as to support each other without rising in a curve.
☞ Scientifically considered, the arch is a means of spanning an opening by resolving vertical pressure into horizontal or diagonal thrust.
3.
Any place covered by an arch; an archway;
as, to pass into the
arch
of a bridge
.
4.
Any curvature in the form of an arch;
as, the
arch
of the aorta
.
“Colors of the showery arch.”
Milton.
Triumphal arch
,
a monumental structure resembling an arched gateway, with one or more passages, erected to commemorate a triumph.

Arch

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Arched
(ärcht)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Arching
.]
1.
To cover with an arch or arches.
2.
To form or bend into the shape of an arch.
The horse
arched
his neck.
Charlesworth.

Arch

,
Verb.
I.
To form into an arch; to curve.

Arch

(ärch)
,
Adj.
[See
Arch-
, pref.]
1.
Chief; eminent; greatest; principal.
The most
arch
act of piteous massacre.
Shakespeare
2.
Cunning or sly; sportively mischievous; roguish;
as, an
arch
look, word, lad
.
[He] spoke his request with so
arch
a leer.
Tatler.

Arch

,
Noun.
[See
Arch-
,
pref
.]
A chief.
[Obs.]
My worthy
arch
and patron comes to-night.
Shakespeare

Webster 1828 Edition

Arch

'ARCH

,
Noun.
[See Arc.]
1.
A segment or part of a circle. A concave or hollow structure of stone or brick, supported by its own curve. It may be constructed of wood, and supported by the mechanism of the work. This species of structure is much used in bridges.
A vault is properly a board arch.
2.
The space between two piers of a bridge, when arched; or any place covered with an arch.
3.
Any curvature, in form of an arch.
4.
The vault of heaven, or sky.
Triumphal arches are magnificent structures at the entrance of cities, erected to adorn a triumph and perpetuate the memory of the event.

'ARCH

,
Verb.
T.
To cover with an arch; to form with a curve; as to arch a gate.

Definition 2024

arch

arch

See also: ärch, arch-, -arch, and arch.

English

arch (3).

Noun

arch ‎(plural arches)

  1. An inverted U shape.
  2. An arch-shaped arrangement of trapezoidal stones, designed to redistribute downward force outward.
  3. (architecture) An architectural element having the shape of an arch
  4. Any place covered by an arch; an archway.
    to pass into the arch of a bridge
  5. (archaic, geometry) An arc; a part of a curve.
Derived terms
Translations
References

Verb

arch ‎(third-person singular simple present arches, present participle arching, simple past and past participle arched)

  1. To form into an arch shape
    The cat arched its back
  2. To cover with an arch or arches.
Translations

Related terms

Etymology 2

From the prefix arch-. "Principal" is the original sense; "mischievous" is via onetime frequent collocation with rogue, knave, etc.

Adjective

arch ‎(comparative archer, superlative archest)

  1. Knowing, clever, mischievous.
    I attempted to hide my emotions, but an arch remark escaped my lips.
    • Tatler
      [He] spoke his request with so arch a leer.
    • 1906, O. Henry, By Courier
      A certain melancholy that touched her countenance must have been of recent birth, for it had not yet altered the fine and youthful contours of her cheek, nor subdued the arch though resolute curve of her lips.
    • 1912, Zane Grey, Riders of the Purple Sage, Chapter 3
      Lassiter ended there with dry humor, yet behind that was meaning. Jane blushed and made arch eyes at him.
  2. Principal; primary.
    • Shakespeare
      the most arch act of piteous massacre
Derived terms
Translations

Noun

arch ‎(plural arches)

  1. (obsolete) A chief.
    • Shakespeare
      My worthy arch and patron comes to-night.

Anagrams

Czech

Noun

arch m anim

  1. sheet (in printing)

Declension

Middle Welsh

Etymology

From the root of erchi ‎(“to request”), from Proto-Celtic *ɸarsko-, from Proto-Indo-European *preḱ-.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /arχ/

Noun

arch f

  1. request

Verb

arch

  1. second-person singular imperative of erchi

Etymology

From Middle English arch, arche, from Old French arche ‎(“an arch”) (French arche), a feminine form of arc, from Latin arcus ‎(“a bow, arc, arch”).

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ɑːtʃ/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ɑɹtʃ/
  • Rhymes: -ɑː(ɹ)tʃ

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