arching

[ ahr-ching ]

/ ˈɑr tʃɪŋ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR arching ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

arched work or formation.

Origin of arching

First recorded in 1670–80; arch¹ + -ing¹

OTHER WORDS FROM arching

un·arch·ing, adjective

Words nearby arching

archimedean solid, archimedes, archimedes' principle, archimedes' screw, archine, arching, archipelago, archipenko, archiphoneme, archiplasm, archit.

Definition for arching (2 of 2)

arch ¹

[ ahrch ]

/ ɑrtʃ /

noun

Architecture.

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.
an upwardly curved construction, as of steel or timber functioning in the manner of a masonry arch.
a doorway, gateway, etc., having a curved head; an archway.
the curved head of an opening, as a doorway.

any overhead curvature resembling an arch.

something bowed or curved; any bowlike part: the arch of the foot.

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

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

Glassmaking.

a chamber or opening in a glassmaking furnace.
pot arch.

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

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

Example sentences from the Web for arching

The male approached, erecting his fins and arching his body to the left.

Fishes of the Big Blue River Basin, Kansas |W. L. Minckley
He drew up under the arching elms with the glare of their headlights focussed upon the closed garage doors.

Dorothy Dixon Wins Her Wings |Dorothy Wayne
That great smooth groinery of the Pennsylvania Station train shed: is it not the arching fronds of iron palm trees?

Pipefuls |Christopher Morley
The pony, under the sting of the unexpected blow, leaped into the air with arching back and a squeal of rage.

The Pony Rider Boys in Texas |Frank Gee Patchin

Mostly they burrowed in the chaff, or stood about humped and shivering—only on sunny days did their arching backs subside.

A Son of the Middle Border |Hamlin Garland

British Dictionary definitions for arching (1 of 2)

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

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)
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

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

to form or cause to form an arch or a curve resembling that of an arch the cat arched its back

(tr) to span or extend over the bridge arched the flooded stream

Word Origin for arch

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

British Dictionary definitions for arching (2 of 2)

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 arching

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 arching

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.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

arching

noun

Origin of arching

OTHER WORDS FROM arching

Words nearby arching

Definition for arching (2 of 2)

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of arch

Example sentences from the Web for arching

British Dictionary definitions for arching (1 of 2)

noun

verb

Word Origin for arch

British Dictionary definitions for arching (2 of 2)

adjective

Derived forms of arch

Word Origin for arch

Medical definitions for arching

n.

Cultural definitions for arching

notes for arch

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

arching

noun

Origin of arching

OTHER WORDS FROM arching

Words nearby arching

Definition for arching (2 of 2)

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of arch

Words related to arching

Example sentences from the Web for arching

British Dictionary definitions for arching (1 of 2)

noun

verb

Word Origin for arch

British Dictionary definitions for arching (2 of 2)

adjective

Derived forms of arch

Word Origin for arch

Medical definitions for arching

n.

Cultural definitions for arching

notes for arch