arch

/ɑrtʃ/

/ɑtʃ/

Other forms: arches; arched; arching; archest

An arch is a shape that resembles an upside down "U." You may find this shape in a carefully tweezed eyebrow or in the famous golden pair that make you hunger for a Big Mac.

In architecture, an arch is an opening that is often found supporting the weight of a something above it — like a bridge or a wall. In downtown St. Louis, you can visit the Gateway Arch — a freestanding catenary arch that is 630 feet tall and 630 feet wide. As a verb, arch means to make an arch-like shape. "She stretched her back by arching it into a backbend." As an adjective, arch can describe something mischievous or sly: "He teased his friend with an arch comment about his shyness around girls."

Definitions of arch

1. noun

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

   abutment arch

   an arch supported by an abutment

   broken arch

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

   camber arch

   an arch with a straight horizontal extrados and a slightly arched intrados

   corbel arch

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

   flat arch, straight arch

   an arch with mutually supporting voussoirs that has a straight horizontal extrados and intrados

   pier arch

   an arch supported on piers

   pointed arch

   an arch with a pointed apex; characteristic of Gothic architecture

   proscenium arch

   the arch over the opening in the proscenium wall

   rampant arch

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

   round arch

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

   rowlock arch

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

   safety arch

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

   scoinson arch, sconcheon arch

   an arch that supports part of the wall

   segmental arch

   a shallow arch; an arch that is less than a semicircle

   shouldered arch

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

   diminished arch, scheme arch, skeen arch, skene arch

   an arch whose height is less than half its width

   skew arch

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

   squinch

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

   trimmer arch

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

   triumphal arch

   a monumental archway; usually they are built to commemorate some notable victory

   Tudor arch, four-centered arch

   a low elliptical or pointed arch; usually drawn from four centers

   bell arch

   a round arch resting on corbels

   drop arch

   a blunt pointed arch drawn from two centers within the span

   Gothic arch

   a pointed arch; usually has a joint (instead of a keystone) at the apex

   Moorish arch, horseshoe arch

   a round arch that widens before rounding off

   keel arch, ogee arch

   a pointed arch having an S-shape on both sides

   Roman arch, semicircular arch

   a round arch drawn from a single center

   basket-handle arch, three-centered arch

   a round arch whose inner curve is drawn with circles having three centers

   trefoil arch

   a pointed arch having cusps in the intrados on either side of the apex

   trumpet arch

   a conical squinch

   type of:

   construction, structure

   a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts
2. noun

   a passageway under a curved masonry construction
   “they built a triumphal arch to memorialize their victory”

   synonyms: archway

   type of:

   entrance, entranceway, entree, entry, entryway

   something that provides access (to get in or get out)
3. noun

   a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
   type of:

   curve, curved shape

   the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
4. noun

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

   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

   fallen arch, sunken arch

   an instep flattened so the entire sole rests on the ground

   type of:

   skeletal structure

   any structure created by the skeleton of an organism
5. verb

   form an arch or curve
   “her back arches”

   synonyms: arc, curve

   types:

   camber

   curve upward in the middle

   type of:

   bend, flex

   form a curve
6. adjective

   (used of behavior or attitude) characteristic of those who treat others with condescension
   synonyms: condescending, patronising, patronizing

   superior

   of or characteristic of high rank or importance
7. adjective

   naughtily or annoyingly playful
   synonyms: impish, implike, mischievous, pixilated, prankish, puckish, wicked

   playful

   full of fun and high spirits
8. adjective

   expert in skulduggery
   “an arch criminal”

   synonyms:

   skilled

   having or showing or requiring special skill