ARCH • DICCIONARIO INGLES.COM • Definition of Arch

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/ɑrtʃ/ Listen

noun

Arch n.

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. Note: 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."

Triumphal arch, a monumental structure resembling an arched gateway, with one or more passages, erected to commemorate a triumph.

Arch n. A chief. (Obs.) "My worthy arch and patron comes to-night."

adjective

Arch adj.

1.

Chief; eminent; greatest; principal. "The most arch act of piteous massacre."

2.

Cunning or sly; sportively mischievous; roguish; as, an arch look, word, lad. "(He) spoke his request with so arch a leer."

verb

Arch v. t. (past & past part. arched; pres. part. 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."

Arch v. i. To form into an arch; to curve.

See images of 'Arch'

Etymology of 'Arch'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Arch" Quotes from Famous Books

... the club; she had been there more than once with Miss Saunders, and found her way without trouble to-day to a big chair in a window arch, where she could enjoy the passing show without being herself conspicuous. A constant little stream of women came and went, handsome, awkward school-girls, in town for the dentist or to be fitted to shoes, or for the matinee; debutantes, in their exquisite ...

— Saturday's Child • Kathleen Norris

... which necessarily require a more perfect reformation: and whereas it has been declared and resolved, by the Lords and Commons assembled in parliament, that the present church government by archbishops, bishops, their chancellors, commissaries, deans, deans and chapters, arch-deacons, and other ecclesiastical officers depending on the hierarchy, is evil, and justly offensive and burdensome to the kingdom, and a great impediment to reformation and growth of religion, and very prejudicial ...

— The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 11 • Various

... But there was an arch smirk on her countenance, and she continued looking at me with so much latent meaning in the expression of her eye, that I was fairly compelled to ...

— The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 16, No. 96, October 1865 • Various

... in the duke's best days, was overcharged. Villiers was no 'well-built arch,' nor could Charles trust to the fidelity of one so versatile for an hour. Besides, the moral character of Villiers must have prevented him, even in those days, from bearing 'the ...

— The Wits and Beaux of Society - Volume 1 • Grace Wharton and Philip Wharton

... the glass showcase, glancing the while down at the small man, almost patronisingly. "Well, then, for your benefit, I was merely observing that you filled the bill of what dad here said a bit ago we all were." He smiled tantalisingly; again showing the vacancy in his dental arch. "You remember ...

— Where the Trail Divides • Will Lillibridge

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