ARCH

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does arch mean? 

• ARCH (noun)
  The noun ARCH has 4 senses:

1. a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening

2. a curved bony structure supporting or enclosing organs (especially the inner sides of the feet)

3. a passageway under a curved masonry construction

4. (architecture) a masonry construction (usually curved) for spanning an opening and supporting the weight above it

  Familiarity information: ARCH used as a noun is uncommon.

• ARCH (adjective)
  The adjective ARCH has 2 senses:

1. (used of behavior or attitude) characteristic of those who treat others with condescension

2. naughtily or annoyingly playful

  Familiarity information: ARCH used as an adjective is rare.

• ARCH (verb)
  The verb ARCH has 1 sense:

1. form an arch or curve

  Familiarity information: ARCH used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ARCH (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening

Classified under:

Nouns denoting two and three dimensional shapes

Hypernyms ("arch" is a kind of...):

curve; curved shape (the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes)

Derivation:

arch (form an arch or curve)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A curved bony structure supporting or enclosing organs (especially the inner sides of the feet)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Hypernyms ("arch" is a kind of...):

skeletal structure (any structure created by the skeleton of an organism)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "arch"):

metatarsal arch (the short lateral arch formed by the heads of the metatarsals)

instep (the arch of the foot)

pectoral arch; shoulder girdle (the bony arch formed by the collarbones and shoulder blades in humans)

haemal arch; hemal arch (a structure arising ventrally from a vertebral centrum and enclosing the caudal blood vessels)

neural arch; vertebral arch (a structure arising dorsally from a vertebral centrum and enclosing the spinal cord)

Derivation:

arch (form an arch or curve)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A passageway under a curved masonry construction

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

arch; archway

Context example:

they built a triumphal arch to memorialize their victory

Hypernyms ("arch" is a kind of...):

entrance; entranceway; entree; entry; entryway (something that provides access (to get in or get out))

Holonyms ("arch" is a part of...):

wall (an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure)

Derivation:

arch (form an arch or curve)

Sense 4

Meaning:

(architecture) a masonry construction (usually curved) for spanning an opening and supporting the weight above it

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("arch" is a kind of...):

construction; structure (a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts)

Meronyms (parts of "arch"):

headstone; key; keystone (the central building block at the top of an arch or vault)

impost; springer (the lowest stone in an arch -- from which it springs)

voussoir (wedge-shaped stone building block used in constructing an arch or vault)

Domain category:

architecture (the discipline dealing with the principles of design and construction and ornamentation of fine buildings)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "arch"):

rampant arch (an arch whose support is higher on one side than on the other)

trimmer arch (an arch built between trimmers in a floor (to support the weight of a hearth))

squinch (a small arch built across the interior angle of two walls (usually to support a spire))

skew arch (an arch whose jambs are not at right angles with the face)

diminished arch; scheme arch; skeen arch; skene arch (an arch whose height is less than half its width)

shouldered arch (an arch consisting of a horizontal lintel supported at each end by corbels that project into the aperture)

segmental arch (a shallow arch; an arch that is less than a semicircle)

scoinson arch; sconcheon arch (an arch that supports part of the wall)

safety arch (an undecorated arch that is included in order to strengthen or support a construction)

rowlock arch (an arch that is formed with more than one concentric row of voussoirs)

round arch (an arch formed in a continuous curve; characteristic of Roman architecture)

proscenium arch (the arch over the opening in the proscenium wall)

pointed arch (an arch with a pointed apex; characteristic of Gothic architecture)

pier arch (an arch supported on piers)

flat arch; straight arch (an arch with mutually supporting voussoirs that has a straight horizontal extrados and intrados)

corbel arch ((architecture) an arch constructed of masonry courses that are corbelled until they meet)

camber arch (an arch with a straight horizontal extrados and a slightly arched intrados)

broken arch (an arch with a gap at the apex; the gap is usually filled with some decoration)

triumphal arch (a monumental archway; usually they are built to commemorate some notable victory)

four-centered arch; Tudor arch (a low elliptical or pointed arch; usually drawn from four centers)

abutment arch (an arch supported by an abutment)

Holonyms ("arch" is a part of...):

aqueduct (a conduit that resembles a bridge but carries water over a valley)

bridge; span (a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.)

arcade; colonnade (a structure composed of a series of arches supported by columns)

Derivation:

arch (form an arch or curve)

• ARCH (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(used of behavior or attitude) characteristic of those who treat others with condescension

Synonyms:

arch; condescending; patronising; patronizing

Similar:

superior (of or characteristic of high rank or importance)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Naughtily or annoyingly playful

Synonyms:

arch; impish; implike; mischievous; pixilated; prankish; puckish; wicked

Context example:

a wicked prank

Similar:

playful (full of fun and high spirits)

• ARCH (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they arch    ... he / she / it arches   
Past simple: arched   
Past participle: arched   
-ing form: arching   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Form an arch or curve

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

arc; arch; curve

Context example:

her hips curve nicely

Hypernyms (to "arch" is one way to...):

bend; flex (form a curve)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "arch"):

camber (curve upward in the middle)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

arch ((architecture) a masonry construction (usually curved) for spanning an opening and supporting the weight above it)

arch (a passageway under a curved masonry construction)

arch (a curved bony structure supporting or enclosing organs (especially the inner sides of the feet))

arch (a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening)

 Context examples 

"Hearing the natural hum of the arches gives them a 'voice' where, in effect, they convey their state of health and their responses to all manner of forces."

(Song of the red rock arches, National Science Foundation)

It was a big, round room with a high arched roof, and the walls and ceiling and floor were covered with large emeralds set closely together.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

The Bedlington Terrier has a pear-shaped head, arched back and a thick, curly double coat that comes in a blue, liver, or sandy color.

(Bedlington Terrier, NCI Thesaurus)

The arched form consisting of a reddish-brown cortical substance running from one cortical column to the next between the base of the pyramid and the capsule in the kidney.

(Cortical Arch, NCI Thesaurus)

A rare syndrome characterized by low birth weight, delayed growth, mental retardation, behavioral problems, and a distinctive facial appearance (thin, arched eyebrows, low set ears, small teeth, and small nose).

(Cornelia De Lange Syndrome, NCI Thesaurus)

Foot problems such as high arches or hammertoes can be early symptoms.

(Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

It is caused by developmental abnormalities of the pharyngeal arches and results in the development of a cyst or a fissure in the side of the neck.

(Branchial Cleft Remnant, NCI Thesaurus)

It was nothing but a rock, with one creek naturally arched by the force of tempests.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

The phaeton was a very handsome affair; the horses arched their necks and lifted up their legs as if they knew they belonged to Doctors' Commons.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

To him, Judge Scott was the keystone in the arch of injustice, and upon Judge Scott he emptied the vials of his wrath and hurled the threats of his revenge yet to come.

(White Fang, by Jack London)