arc

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to an arch or curve

   My back arcs at an unnatural angle.

2. 2
   noun

   A continuous part of the circumference of a circle (circular arc) or of another curve.

   1914, Ernest Bramah, Max Carrados The arc of a circle may be very little, but, given that, it is possible to construct the entire figure.

3. 3
   noun

   Ellipsis of story arc.

   For while most comics have designated entry points into the story in the form of arcs, Homestuck is one elaborate, self-referencing inside joke collapsed inside its own funhouse mirror reflection.

4. 4
   noun

   An arclight.

   For all practical purposes the old carbon arcs, which were the backbone of film lighting, are no longer used.

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂erkʷ- Proto-Indo-European *h₂erkʷos Proto-Italic *arkuos Latin arcus Old French arcbor. Middle English ark English arc Inherited from Middle English ark, from Old French arc, from Latin arcus (“a bow, arc, arch”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂erkʷos (“bow, arrow”). Doublet of arch, arco, and arrow.

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