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.
b.
an upwardly curved construction, as of steel or timber functioning in the manner of a masonry arch.
c.
a doorway, gateway, etc., having a curved head; an archway.
d.
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.
A structure, especially one of masonry, forming the curved, pointed, or flat upper edge of an open space and supporting the weight above it, as in a bridge or doorway.
A structure, such as a freestanding monument, shaped like an inverted U.
A curve with the ends down and the middle up: the arch of a raised eyebrow.
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.
To provide with an arch: arch a passageway.
To cause to form an arch or similar curve.
To bend backward: The dancers alternately arched and hunched their backs.
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.]
1297, from O.Fr. arche "arch of a bridge," from L. arcus (see arc). Replaced native bow. Transferred 1590 to anything having this form (eyebrows, etc.). The verb meaning "to curve" is from 1625. Archway is from 1802.
1547, "chief, principal," from prefix arch- (from Gk. arkhos "chief;" see archon); used in 12c. archangel, etc., but extended to so many derogatory uses (arch-rogue, arch-knave, etc.) that it acquired a meaning of "roguish, mischievous," since softened to "saucy" (1662). Also found in archwife (c.1386) "A wife of a superior order."
In architecture, a curved or pointed opening that spans a doorway, window, or other space.
Note: 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.
arch (ärch) n. An organ or structure having a curved or bowlike appearance, especially either of two arched sections of the bony structure of the foot.
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This Main Entry: arch Pronunciation: 'ärch Function: noun 1: an anatomical structure that resembles an arch in form or function: as a: either of two vaulted portions of the bony structure of the foot that impart elasticity to it: (1) : a longitudinal arch supported posteriorly by the basal tuberosity of thecalcaneus and anteriorly by the heads of the metatarsal bones (2) : a transverse arch consisting of the metatarsals and first row of tarsals and resulting from elevation of the centralanterior portion of the median longitudinal arch b:ARCH OF THE AORTA 2: afingerprint in which all the ridges run from side to side and make no backward turn
Arc\, n. [F. arc, L. arcus bow, arc. See Arch, n.]1. (Geom.) A portion of a curved line; as, the arc of a circle or of an ellipse. 2. A curvature in the shape of a circular arc or an arch; as, the colored arc (the rainbow); the arc of Hadley's quadrant. 3. An arch. [Obs.] Statues and trophies, and triumphal arcs. --Milton. 4. The apparent arc described, above or below the horizon, by the sun or other celestial body. The diurnal arc is described during the daytime, the nocturnal arc during the night. Electric arc, Voltaic arc. See under Voltaic.
Arch\, n. [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.
Arch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Arched; 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.
Arch\ (["a]rch), a. [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.
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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