arch


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arch-

(word root)
1. principal
Examples: archenemy
2. prototypical
Examples: archetype
3. chief, leader, ruler
Examples: monarch, matriarch
Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree
click for a larger image
arch1
semicircular arch
A. keystone
B. voussoirs
C. springers
D. imposts

arch 1

 (ärch)
n.
1. A usually curved structure forming the upper edge of an open space and supporting the weight above it, as in a bridge or doorway.
2. A structure, such as a freestanding monument, shaped like an inverted U.
3. A curve with the ends down and the middle up: the arch of a raised eyebrow.
4. Anatomy An organ or structure having a curved or bowlike appearance, especially either of two arched sections of the bony structure of the foot.
v. arched, arch·ing, arch·es
v.tr.
1. To provide with an arch: arch a passageway.
2. To cause to form an arch or similar curve.
3. To bend backward: The dancers alternately arched and hunched their backs.
4. To span: "the rude bridge that arched the flood" (Ralph Waldo Emerson).
v.intr.
To form an arch or archlike curve: The high fly ball arched toward the stands.

[Middle English, from Old French arche, from Vulgar Latin *arca, from Latin arcus.]

arch 2

 (ärch)
adj.
1. Chief; principal: their arch foe.
2.
a. Mischievous; roguish: "She ... was arch enough to inform the queen whenever I committed any folly that she thought would be diverting to her majesty" (Jonathan Swift).
b. Teasing, ironic, or sardonic: "I know, Edy Boardman said none too amiably with an arch glance from her shortsighted eyes. I know who is Tommy's sweetheart" (James Joyce).

[From arch-.]

arch′ly adv.
arch′ness n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

arch

(ɑːtʃ)
n
1. (Architecture) a curved structure, normally in the vertical plane, that spans an opening
2. (Architecture) Also called: archway a structure in the form of an arch that serves as a gateway
3. something curved like an arch
4. (Anatomy)
a. any of various parts or structures of the body having a curved or archlike outline, such as the transverse portion of the aorta (arch of the aorta) or the raised bony vault formed by the tarsal and metatarsal bones (arch of the foot)
b. one of the basic patterns of the human fingerprint, formed by several curved ridges one above the other. Compare loop110a, whorl3
vb
5. (Architecture) (tr) to span (an opening) with an arch
6. to form or cause to form an arch or a curve resembling that of an arch: the cat arched its back.
7. (tr) to span or extend over: the bridge arched the flooded stream.
[C14: from Old French arche, from Vulgar Latin arca (unattested), from Latin arcus bow, arc]

arch

(ɑːtʃ)
adj
1. (prenominal) chief; principal; leading: his arch rival.
2. (prenominal) very experienced; expert: an arch criminal.
3. knowing or superior
4. playfully or affectedly roguish or mischievous
[C16: independent use of arch-]
ˈarchly adv
ˈarchness n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

arch1

(ɑrtʃ)

n.
1. a curved construction spanning an opening and usu. supporting weight from above or the sides.
2. a doorway or gateway having a curved head; archway.
3. any overhead curvature resembling an arch.
4. something bowed or curved: the arch of the foot.
v.t.
5. to cover or span with an arch.
6. to form into an arch: a cat arching its back.
v.i.
7. to form an arch: elms arching over the road.
[1250–1300; < Old French arche < Vulgar Latin *arca, feminine variant of Latin arcus arc]

arch2

(ɑrtʃ)

adj.
1. coyly roguish or ironic.
2. crafty; sly.
[1545–55; independent use of arch-1]
arch′ly, adv.
arch′ness, n.

arch-1

,
a combining form used to create nouns that denote individuals or institutions directing or having authority over others of their class (archbishop; archdiocese; archpriest); also meaning “principal” (archenemy; archrival) or “prototypical” and thus exemplary or extreme (archconservative).
[Old English arce-, < Latin archi- < Greek; see archi-]

arch-2

,
var. of archi- before a vowel: archangel.

-arch

a combining form meaning “chief, leader, ruler”: matriarch; monarch.
[< Greek -archos or -archēs, as comb. forms of árchos leader]

Arch.

Archbishop.

arch.

1. archaic.
2. archery.
3. archipelago.
4. architect; architecture.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

arch


Past participle: arched
Gerund: arching

Imperative
arch
arch
Present
I arch
you arch
he/she/it arches
we arch
you arch
they arch
Preterite
I arched
you arched
he/she/it arched
we arched
you arched
they arched
Present Continuous
I am arching
you are arching
he/she/it is arching
we are arching
you are arching
they are arching
Present Perfect
I have arched
you have arched
he/she/it has arched
we have arched
you have arched
they have arched
Past Continuous
I was arching
you were arching
he/she/it was arching
we were arching
you were arching
they were arching
Past Perfect
I had arched
you had arched
he/she/it had arched
we had arched
you had arched
they had arched
Future
I will arch
you will arch
he/she/it will arch
we will arch
you will arch
they will arch
Future Perfect
I will have arched
you will have arched
he/she/it will have arched
we will have arched
you will have arched
they will have arched
Future Continuous
I will be arching
you will be arching
he/she/it will be arching
we will be arching
you will be arching
they will be arching
Present Perfect Continuous
I have been arching
you have been arching
he/she/it has been arching
we have been arching
you have been arching
they have been arching
Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been arching
you will have been arching
he/she/it will have been arching
we will have been arching
you will have been arching
they will have been arching
Past Perfect Continuous
I had been arching
you had been arching
he/she/it had been arching
we had been arching
you had been arching
they had been arching
Conditional
I would arch
you would arch
he/she/it would arch
we would arch
you would arch
they would arch
Past Conditional
I would have arched
you would have arched
he/she/it would have arched
we would have arched
you would have arched
they would have arched
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.arch - a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an openingarch - a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
curve, curved shape - the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
2.arch - a curved bony structure supporting or enclosing organs (especially the inner sides of the feet)arch - a curved bony structure supporting or enclosing organs (especially the inner sides of the feet)
metatarsal arch - the short lateral arch formed by the heads of the metatarsals
instep - the arch of the foot
skeletal structure - any structure created by the skeleton of an organism
pectoral arch, shoulder girdle - the bony arch formed by the collarbones and shoulder blades in humans
haemal arch, hemal arch - a structure arising ventrally from a vertebral centrum and enclosing the caudal blood vessels
neural arch, vertebral arch - a structure arising dorsally from a vertebral centrum and enclosing the spinal cord
3.arch - a passageway under a curved masonry constructionarch - a passageway under a curved masonry construction; "they built a triumphal arch to memorialize their victory"
entrance, entranceway, entryway, entree, entry - something that provides access (to get in or get out); "they waited at the entrance to the garden"; "beggars waited just outside the entryway to the cathedral"
wall - an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure; "the south wall had a small window"; "the walls were covered with pictures"
4.arch - (architecture) a masonry construction (usually curved) for spanning an opening and supporting the weight above itarch - (architecture) a masonry construction (usually curved) for spanning an opening and supporting the weight above it
abutment arch - an arch supported by an abutment
aqueduct - a conduit that resembles a bridge but carries water over a valley
arcade, colonnade - a structure composed of a series of arches supported by columns
bridge, span - a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
broken arch - an arch with a gap at the apex; the gap is usually filled with some decoration
camber arch - an arch with a straight horizontal extrados and a slightly arched intrados
corbel arch - (architecture) an arch constructed of masonry courses that are corbelled until they meet
flat arch, straight arch - an arch with mutually supporting voussoirs that has a straight horizontal extrados and intrados
headstone, keystone, key - the central building block at the top of an arch or vault
pier arch - an arch supported on piers
pointed arch - an arch with a pointed apex; characteristic of Gothic architecture
proscenium arch - the arch over the opening in the proscenium wall
rampant arch - an arch whose support is higher on one side than on the other
round arch - an arch formed in a continuous curve; characteristic of Roman architecture
rowlock arch - an arch that is formed with more than one concentric row of voussoirs
safety arch - an undecorated arch that is included in order to strengthen or support a construction
scoinson arch, sconcheon arch - an arch that supports part of the wall
segmental arch - a shallow arch; an arch that is less than a semicircle
shouldered arch - an arch consisting of a horizontal lintel supported at each end by corbels that project into the aperture
diminished arch, scheme arch, skeen arch, skene arch - an arch whose height is less than half its width
skew arch - an arch whose jambs are not at right angles with the face
springer, impost - the lowest stone in an arch -- from which it springs
squinch - a small arch built across the interior angle of two walls (usually to support a spire)
structure, construction - a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts; "the structure consisted of a series of arches"; "she wore her hair in an amazing construction of whirls and ribbons"
trimmer arch - an arch built between trimmers in a floor (to support the weight of a hearth)
triumphal arch - a monumental archway; usually they are built to commemorate some notable victory
four-centered arch, Tudor arch - a low elliptical or pointed arch; usually drawn from four centers
voussoir - wedge-shaped stone building block used in constructing an arch or vault
architecture - the discipline dealing with the principles of design and construction and ornamentation of fine buildings; "architecture and eloquence are mixed arts whose end is sometimes beauty and sometimes use"
Verb1.arch - form an arch or curvearch - form an arch or curve; "her back arches"; "her hips curve nicely"
camber - curve upward in the middle
bend, flex - form a curve; "The stick does not bend"
Adj.1.arch - (used of behavior or attitude) characteristic of those who treat others with condescensionarch - (used of behavior or attitude) characteristic of those who treat others with condescension
superior - of or characteristic of high rank or importance; "a superior ruler"
2.arch - expert in skulduggeryarch - expert in skulduggery; "an arch criminal"
skilled - having or showing or requiring special skill; "only the most skilled gymnasts make an Olympic team"; "a skilled surgeon has many years of training and experience"; "a skilled reconstruction of her damaged elbow"; "a skilled trade"
3.arch - naughtily or annoyingly playfularch - naughtily or annoyingly playful; "teasing and worrying with impish laughter"; "a wicked prank"
playful - full of fun and high spirits; "playful children just let loose from school"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

arch

1
noun
1. archway, curve, dome, span, vault The theatre is located under old railway arches in the East End.
2. curve, bend, bow, crook, arc, hunch, sweep, hump, curvature, semicircle Train the cane supports to form an arch.
verb
1. curve, bridge, bend, bow, span, arc the domed ceiling arching overhead

Types of arch

acute, gothic, lancet, pointed arch, or ogive, horseshoe arch, keel arch, Norman or Roman arch, gee arch, proscenium arch, Roman arch, skew arch, triumphal arch

arch

2
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

arch

verb
1. To swerve from a straight line:
2. To incline the body:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
قَنْطَرَةقَنْطَرَة، حَنْيَهقَوسقَوس الحِذاءيُقَوِّس، يَتَقَوَّس
obloukklenbavyklenout do oblouku
buedanne en buekrummesvangtriumfbue
holvikaarikaariköyristää
luk
boltívboltozatdiadalívlábboltozatpúpoz: púpozza a hátát
bogibogi, bogaminnisvarîi, sigurbogiristarbogisveigja í boga
アーチ
아치
arkaišriestikeltisriestiskliautas
arkaizliektloksvelve
vyklenúť do oblúkavyklenutý do oblúka
obokusločiti
valvbåge
ส่วนโค้ง
kemerkemer yapmaktakyayayak kemeri
khung vòm

arch

1 [ɑːtʃ]
A. N
1. (Archit) → arco m; (= vault) → bóveda f
2. [of foot] → puente m
fallen archespies mpl planos
3. (dental) → arcada f, arco m
B. VT [+ back, body etc] → arquear
to arch one's eyebrowsarquear las cejas
C. VI
1.arquearse, formar un arco
2. to arch over (Archit) → abovedar

arch

2 [ɑːtʃ] ADJ
1. (= superior) [look] → de superioridad; [remark] → en tono de superioridad
2. (= mischievous) → malicioso
3. (= cunning) [glance, person] → astuto

arch

3 [ɑːtʃ] ADJ (= great) an arch criminalun consumado delincuente
an arch hypocriteun consumado hipócrita, un hipócrita de primer orden
see also arch-enemy
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

arch

[ˈɑːrtʃ]
n
(= archway) → arche f
pointed arch → ogive f
[foot] → cambrure f, voûte f plantaire
vt [+ back] → arquer, cambrer
adj
[look, expression] → malicieux/euse
(= greatest) → grand(e), par excellence
arch enemy → ennemi m de toujours, ennemi m par excellence
arch rival → grand rival
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

arch

:
archangel
nErzengel m
archbishop
nErzbischof m
archbishopric
n (= district)Erzbistum nt, → Erzdiözese f; (= office)Amt ntdes Erzbischofs
archdeacon
nArchidiakon m, → Erzdiakon m
archdiocese
nErzdiözese f, → Erzbistum nt
archducal
adjerzherzoglich
archduchess
nErzherzogin f
archduchy
nErzherzogtum nt
archduke
nErzherzog m

arch

1
n
Bogen m; arch of the heavensHimmelsbogen m, → Himmelsgewölbe nt
(Anat, of foot) → Gewölbe nt (spec); high/fallen archeshoher Spann/Senkfuß m; arch supportSenkfußeinlage f
visich wölben; (arrow etc)einen Bogen machen
vt backkrümmen; eyebrowshochziehen; the cat arched its backdie Katze machte einen Buckel

arch

2
adj attrErz-; arch enemyErzfeind(in) m(f); arch rivalErzrivale m, → Erzrivalin f; arch traitorHochverräter(in) m(f)

arch

3
adj (= wicked, mischievous)neckisch, schelmisch
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

arch

1 [ɑːtʃ]
1. n
a. (Archit) → arco, arcata
b. (of foot) → arco or arcata plantare
2. vt (back, body) → arcuare, inarcare; (eyebrows) → inarcare

arch

2 [ɑːtʃ]
1. adjgrande (before n), per eccellenza
an arch villain → un grande criminale
the arch villain → il cattivo per eccellenza
his arch rival → il suo rivale per eccellenza

arch

3 [ɑːtʃ] adj (liter) (playful, look, smile) → furbesco/a; (tone) → malizioso/a
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

arch

(aːtʃ) noun
1. the top part of a door etc or a support for a roof etc which is built in the shape of a curve.
2. a monument which is shaped like an arch. the Marble Arch in London.
3. anything that is like an arch in shape. The rainbow formed an arch in the sky.
4. the raised part of the sole of the foot.
verb
to (cause to) be in the shape of an arch. The cat arched its back.
arched adjective
an arched doorway.
ˈarchway noun
an arched passage, door or entrance.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.

arch

قَنْطَرَة oblouk bue Bogen αψίδα arco holvikaari arche luk arco アーチ 아치 boog bue łuk arco арка valvbåge ส่วนโค้ง kemer khung vòm 拱门
Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009

arch

n. arco, estructura de forma circular o en curva;
aortic of ______ aórtico o cayado;
___ likearqueado-a;
carotid ______ carotideo;
maxillary ______ del paladar;
plantar ______ plantar o del pie.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

arch

n arco; — of the foot arco del pie; fallen — arco caído, pie plano
English-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
References in classic literature ?
Notre-Dame de Paris has not, like the Abbey of Tournus, the grave and massive frame, the large and round vault, the glacial bareness, the majestic simplicity of the edifices which have the rounded arch for their progenitor.
The style of these buildings evinces that the architect possessed neither the art of using lime or cement of any kind, nor the skill to throw an arch, construct a roof, or erect a stair ; and yet, with all this ignorance, showed great ingenuity in selecting the situation of Burghs, and regulating the access to them, as well as neatness and regularity in the erection, since the buildings themselves show a style of advance in the arts scarcely consistent with the ignorance of so many of the principal branches of architectural knowledge.
That makes Prince mad, and he holds on just to plague Arch, so they don't speak to one another, if they can help it, and that's the row."
Before long they saw ahead of them a fine big arch spanning the road, and when they came nearer they found that the arch was beautifully carved and decorated with rich colors.
And the doors are arched with the peculiar arch we see in Moorish pictures; the floors are laid in varicolored diamond flags; in tesselated, many-colored porcelain squares wrought in the furnaces of Fez; in red tiles and broad bricks that time cannot wear; there is no furniture in the rooms (of Jewish dwellings) save divans--what there is in Moorish ones no man may know; within their sacred walls no Christian dog can enter.
Is this the Region, this the Soil, the Clime, Said then the lost Arch Angel, this the seat That we must change for Heav'n, this mournful gloom For that celestial light?
At the top of the broad thoroughfare, Thomson turned to the left through the Pall Mall Arch and passed into St.
Here rose in crumbling grandeur the first evidences I had seen of the ancient civilization which once had graced fair Albion--a single, time-worn arch of masonry.
So steadily she floated on, till straight before her lay a broad, bright path, that led up to a golden arch, beyond which she could see shapes flitting to and fro.
Her pearly locks Resemble snow-coils on the mountain top; Her eyebrows arch -- the crescent moon.
At the same instant I saw the old gentleman limping off at the top of his speed, having caught and wrapt up in his apron something that fell heavily into it from the darkness of the arch just over the turnstile.
`I don't think they play at all fairly,' Alice began, in rather a complaining tone, `and they all quarrel so dreadfully one can't hear oneself speak--and they don't seem to have any rules in particular; at least, if there are, nobody attends to them--and you've no idea how confusing it is all the things being alive; for instance, there's the arch I've got to go through next walking about at the other end of the ground--and I should have croqueted the Queen's hedgehog just now, only it ran away when it saw mine coming!'