arch

¹

[ahrch]

noun

1. Architecture.

   1. a curved masonry construction for spanning an opening, consisting of a number of wedgelike stones, bricks, or the like, set with the narrower side toward the opening in such a way that forces on the arch are transmitted as vertical or oblique stresses on either side of the opening.

   2. an upwardly curved construction, as of steel or timber functioning in the manner of a masonry arch.

   3. a doorway, gateway, etc., having a curved head; an archway.

   4. the curved head of an opening, as a doorway.

2. any overhead curvature resembling an arch.

3. something bowed or curved; any bowlike part.

   the arch of the foot.

4. a device inserted in or built into shoes for supporting the arch of the foot.

5. a dam construction having the form of a barrel vault running vertically with its convex face toward the impounded water.

6. Glassmaking.

   1. a chamber or opening in a glassmaking furnace.

   2. pot arch.

verb (used with object)

1. to cover with a vault, or span with an arch.

   the rude bridge that arched the flood.

2. to throw or make into the shape of an arch or vault; curve.

   The horse arched its neck.

verb (used without object)

1. to form an arch.

   elms arching over the road.

2. Nautical.,  hog.

arch-

²

1. a combining form that represents the outcome of archi- in words borrowed through Latin from Greek in the Old English period; it subsequently became a productive form added to nouns of any origin, which thus denote individuals or institutions directing or having authority over others of their class (archbishop; archdiocese; archpriest ). More recently, arch-1 has developed the senses “principal” (archenemy; archrival ) or “prototypical” and thus exemplary or extreme (archconservative ); nouns so formed are almost always pejorative.

arch

³

[ahrch]

adjective

1. playfully roguish or mischievous.

   an arch smile.

2. cunning; crafty; sly.

noun

1. Obsolete.,  a person who is preeminent; a chief.

arch-

⁴

1. variant of archi- before a vowel.

   archangel; archenteron.

-arch

⁵

1. a combining form meaning “chief, leader, ruler,” used in the formation of compound words.

   monarch; matriarch; heresiarch.

arch.

⁶

abbreviation

1. archaic.

2. archaism.

3. archery.

4. archipelago.

5. architect.

6. architectural.

7. architecture.

8. archive; archives.

Arch.

⁷

abbreviation

1. Archbishop.

arch

¹

/ ɑːtʃ /

noun

1. a curved structure, normally in the vertical plane, that spans an opening

2. Also called: archway. a structure in the form of an arch that serves as a gateway

3. something curved like an arch

4. 1. 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 )

   2. one of the basic patterns of the human fingerprint, formed by several curved ridges one above the other Compare loop 1 whorl

verb

1. (tr) to span (an opening) with an arch

2. to form or cause to form an arch or a curve resembling that of an arch

   the cat arched its back

3. (tr) to span or extend over

   the bridge arched the flooded stream

arch

²

/ ɑːtʃ /

adjective

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

arch-

³

combining form

1. chief; principal; of highest rank

   archangel

   archbishop

   archduke

2. eminent above all others of the same kind; extreme

   archenemy

   archfiend

   archfool

arch.

⁴

abbreviation

1. archaic

2. archaism

-arch

⁵

combining form

1. leader; ruler; chief

   patriarch

   monarch

   heresiarch

arch

1. In architecture, a curved or pointed opening that spans a doorway, window, or other space.

The form of arch used in building often serves to distinguish styles of architecture from one another. For example, Romanesque architecture usually employs a round arch, and Gothic architecture, a pointed arch.

Other Word Forms

• archness noun
• archly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of arch¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English arch(e), from Old French arche, from Vulgar Latin arca (unrecorded), feminine variant of Latin arcus arc

Origin of arch²

Middle English; Old English arce-, ærce-, erce- (> Old Norse erki- ) < Latin archi- < Greek ( archi- ); but Dutch aarts-, Middle Low German erse-, Middle High German, German Erz- < Medieval Latin arci-, and Gothic ark- directly < Greek. archangel

Origin of arch³

First recorded in 1680–90; independent use of arch- ¹

Origin of arch⁴

< Greek -archos or -archēs, as comb. forms of árchos leader; archi-

Word History and Origins

Origin of arch¹

C14: from Old French arche, from Vulgar Latin arca (unattested), from Latin arcus bow, _arc

Origin of arch²

C16: independent use of _arch-

Origin of arch³

ultimately from Greek arkhi-, from arkhein to rule

Origin of arch⁴

from Greek -arkhēs, from arkhein to rule; compare _arch-

Example Sentences

Not only is that wall of weights always precisely arranged, but every lightning bolt is arched in an identical way.

From Los Angeles Times

Thanks to its 1920s-era Spanish Revival buildings, arched colonnades and broad public promenades, visiting it feels like stepping back to a time when walkability and simple elegance were the norm.

From Los Angeles Times

The hotel entrance is framed by an arch that echoes those in Ojai’s downtown arcade building.

From Los Angeles Times

With actress Julie Christie or supermodel Jean Shrimpton on his arm, he specialised in playing sophisticated villains: including Superman's arch nemesis, General Zod, and the petulant Sergeant Troy in Far From the Madding Crowd.

From BBC

Generously, one might interpret this as a Brechtian nod toward the film’s artifice as an arch and knowing remake laden with references.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arc 
• archway 

When To Use

What does -arch mean?

The combining form -arch is used like a suffix meaning “chief, leader, or ruler.” It is often used in technical terms, especially in sociology.The form -arch comes from Greek árchos, meaning “leader,” and shares a root with the combining form archi-, meaning "first, principal." Discover why at our entry for archi-.What are variants of -arch?While -arch doesn't have any variants, it is related to the form -archy, as in matriarchy. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use -archy article.