arch
pronunciation
How to pronounce arch in British English:
UK [ɑːtʃ]
How to pronounce arch in American English:
US [ɑːrtʃ]
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- Noun:
- a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
- a curved bony structure supporting or enclosing organs (especially arches of the feet)
- a passageway under an arch
- (architecture) a masonry construction (usually curved) for spanning an opening and supporting the weight above it
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- Verb:
- form an arch or curve
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- Adjective:
- (of persons) highest in rank or authority or office
- (used of behavior or attitude) characteristic of those who treat others with condescension
- expert in skulduggery
Word Origin
- arch
- arch: [14] English acquired arch via Old French arche and a hypothetical Vulgar Latin *arca from Latin arcus ‘curve, arch, bow’ (from which English also got arc [14]). When it first came into the language it was still used in the general sense of ‘curve, arc’ as well as ‘curved structure’ (Chaucer in his Treatise on the astrolabe 1391 wrote of ‘the arch of the day … from the sun arising till it go to rest’), but this had died out by the mid 19th century.Vulgar Latin *arca also produced Italian arcata, which entered English via French as arcade in the 18th century. Arch meaning ‘saucy’ is an adjectival use of the prefix arch- (as in archetype).=> arc
- arch (n.)
- c. 1300, from Old French arche "arch of a bridge" (12c.), from Latin arcus "a bow" (see arc). Replaced native bow (n.1). Originally architectural in English; transferred by early 15c. to anything having this form (eyebrows, etc.).
- arch (adj.)
- 1540s, "chief, principal," from prefix arch-; used in 12c. archangel, etc., but extended to so many derogatory uses (arch-rogue, arch-knave, etc.) that by mid-17c. it acquired a meaning of "roguish, mischievous," since softened to "saucy." Also found in archwife (late 14c.), variously defined as "a wife of a superior order" or "a dominating woman, virago."
- arch (v.)
- early 14c., "to form an arch" (implied in arched); c. 1400, "to furnish with an arch," from arch (n.). Related: Arching.
Example
- 1. Pictured above is arch rock on mackinac island , michigan .
- 2. Often , the tops of a great wall guard post and an arch peek above the water line .
- 3. The third arch segment has been installed .
- 4. Last year the wto said that boeing 's arch rival airbus had received illegal aid from european governments .
- 5. This causes the arch of the foot to fall , which can lead to excruciating pain and difficulties walking .