10 definitions found
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Arch \Arch\ ([aum]rch), 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.
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.'' --Milton.
{Triumphal arch}, a monumental structure resembling an arched gateway, with one or more passages, erected to commemorate a triumph.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
-arch \-arch\ [Gr. 'archo's chief, commander, 'a'rchein to rule. See {Arch}, adjective] A suffix meaning a ruler, as in monarch (a sole ruler).
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Arch \Arch\, verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Arched} ([aum]rcht); 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.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Arch \Arch\, verb (used without an object) To form into an arch; to curve.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Arch- \Arch-\ (["a]rch-, except in archangel and one or two other words). [L. arch-, Gr. 'arch- = 'archi-. See {Arch-}.] A prefix signifying chief, as in archbuilder, archfiend.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Arch \Arch\ (["a]rch), adjective [See {Arch-}, pref.]
1. Chief; eminent; greatest; principal.
The most arch act of piteous massacre. --Shak.
2. Cunning or sly; sportively mischievous; roguish; as, an arch look, word, lad.
[He] spoke his request with so arch a leer. --Tatler.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Arch \Arch\, noun [See {Arch-}, pref.] A chief. [Obs.]
My worthy arch and patron comes to-night. --Shak.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
adjective
1: (of persons) highest in rank or authority or office; "his arch rival" [syn: {arch(a)}]
2: (used of behavior or attitude) characteristic of those who treat others with condescension [syn: {condescending}, {patronizing}, {patronising}]
3: expert in skulduggery; "an arch criminal" [syn: {arch(a)}]
noun
1: a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
2: a curved bony structure supporting or enclosing organs (especially arches of the feet)
3: a passageway under an arch [syn: {archway}]
4: (architecture) a masonry construction (usually curved) for spanning an opening and supporting the weight above it
verb
1: form an arch or curve; "her back arches"; "her hips curve nicely" [syn: {curve}, {arc}]
From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:
280 Moby Thesaurus words for "arch": Machiavellian, Machiavellic, acute, apse, arc, arcade, arcature, arch over, arched roof, archway, artful, astute, banner, bantam, barrow, basket-handle arch, bend, bend back, bestraddle, bestride, bold, boundary stone, bow, brass, bridge, bust, cagey, cairn, camber, canny, capital, cardinal, ceilinged roof, cenotaph, central, champion, cheeky, chief, clever, clubfoot, cocky, column, concameration, concha, conspicuous, consummate, coquettish, cove, coy, crafty, cromlech, crook, cross, crowning, cunning, cup, cupola, curl, curvation, curvature, curve, cute, cyclolith, deceitful, decurve, deep, deep-laid, deflect, derisive, designing, devilish, digit, diplomatic, dog, dolmen, dome, dominant, elfish, elvish, embow, extend over, extraordinary, extreme, extremity, feline, fetlock, first, flex, flippant, focal, foolish, foot, footstone, forefoot, foremost, forepaw, foxy, fresh, full of mischief, geodesic dome, grave, gravestone, great, greatest, guileful, hang over, harefoot, head, headmost, headstone, heel, hegemonic, high-spirited, hoarstone, hoof, hook, hump, hunch, igloo, imbricate, impish, incurvate, incurve, inflect, ingenious, inscription, insidious, instep, inventive, jut, keystone, knavish, knowing, lap, lap over, leading, lie over, loop, magisterial, main, major, malapert, marker, master, mausoleum, megalith, memento, memorial, memorial arch, memorial column, memorial statue, memorial stone, menhir, mischief-loving, mischievous, mocking, monolith, monument, mound, necrology, notable, noteworthy, obelisk, obituary, ogive, overarch, overhang, overlap, overlie, override, overruling, pad, paramount, pastern, patte, paw, pawky, pedal extremity, pedes, pert, pes, pied, pillar, plaque, playful, politic, prankish, pranksome, pranky, predominant, preeminent, premier, preponderant, prevailing, primal, primary, prime, principal, prize, puckish, pug, pyramid, ranking, ready, recurve, reflect, reflex, reliquary, remembrance, resourceful, retroflex, ribbon, roguish, rostral column, round, ruling, sag, saucy, scampish, scapegrace, scheming, serpentine, shaft, sharp, shifty, shingle, shrewd, shrine, skewback, slick, slippery, sly, smooth, snaky, sneaky, sole, sophistical, sovereign, span, splayfoot, sportive, star, stealthy, stela, stellar, stone, strategic, stupa, subtile, subtle, supereminent, supple, swag, sweep, tablet, tactical, testimonial, toe, tomb, tombstone, tootsy, tope, topflight, trefoil arch, trickish, tricksy, tricky, trophy, trotter, turn, twitting, ungula, vault, vaulting, voussoir, vulpine, waggish, wary, wily, wind
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]:
Arch an architectural term found only in Ezek. 40:16, 21, 22, 26, 29. There is no absolute proof that the Israelites employed arches in their buildings. The arch was employed in the building of the pyramids of Egypt. The oldest existing arch is at Thebes, and bears the date B.C. 1350. There are also still found the remains of an arch, known as Robinson's Arch, of the bridge connecting Zion and Moriah. (See TYROPOEON {VALLEY}.)
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