arch

1
[ ahrch ]
/ ɑrtʃ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR arch ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

verb (used with object)

to cover with a vault, or span with an arch: the rude bridge that arched the flood.
to throw or make into the shape of an arch or vault; curve: The horse arched its neck.

verb (used without object)

to form an arch: elms arching over the road.
Nautical. hog(def 14).

Origin of arch

1
1250–1300; Middle English arch(e) < Old French arche < Vulgar Latin *arca, feminine variant of Latin arcus arc

Words nearby arch

arce, arcella, arcesilaus, arcesius, arcform, arch, arch beam, arch board, arch brace, arch dam, arch head

Definition for arches (2 of 2)

arch 2
[ ahrch ]
/ ɑrtʃ /

adjective

playfully roguish or mischievous: an arch smile.
cunning; crafty; sly.

noun

Obsolete. a person who is preeminent; a chief.

Origin of arch

2
independent use of arch-1

Words related to arches

archway, arc, semicircle, span, dome, curvature, bow, bend, vault, bridge, form, extend, stretch, hump, hook, shape, round, hunch, camber

Example sentences from the Web for arches

British Dictionary definitions for arches (1 of 3)

Arches
/ (ˈɑːtʃɪz) /

pl n

Court of Arches Church of England the court of appeal of the Province of Canterbury, formerly held under the arches of Bow Church

British Dictionary definitions for arches (2 of 3)

arch 1
/ (ɑːtʃ) /

noun

a curved structure, normally in the vertical plane, that spans an opening
Also called: archway a structure in the form of an arch that serves as a gateway
something curved like an arch
  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 otherCompare loop 1 (def. 10a), whorl (def. 3)

verb

Word Origin for arch

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

British Dictionary definitions for arches (3 of 3)

arch 2
/ (ɑːtʃ) /

adjective

(prenominal) chief; principal; leading his arch rival
(prenominal) very experienced; expert an arch criminal
knowing or superior
playfully or affectedly roguish or mischievous

Derived forms of arch

archly, adverb archness, noun

Word Origin for arch

C16: independent use of arch-

Medical definitions for arches

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.

Cultural definitions for arches

arch

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

notes for arch

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.