arch

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A curved structure that spans an opening and supports the weight above it.

   The old stone bridge had three graceful arches.

2. 2
   verb

   To bend into a curved shape.

   The cat arched its back when it saw the dog.

3. 3
   adj

   Most important or main, used especially of an enemy or rival.

   They had been arch enemies since childhood.

4. 4
   adj

   Amused in a knowing, slightly mocking way.

   She gave him an arch smile and said nothing.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Arch in the sense of a curved structure comes through Latin arcus, “bow, arch, or curve,” and entered English in the Middle English period. The unrelated prefix arch-, meaning “chief” or “principal,” derives from Greek arkhos, “chief” or “ruler.”

Etymology tree Ancient Greek ἄρχω (árkhō) Ancient Greek ᾰ̓ρχῐ- (ărkhĭ-) Proto-Indo-European *teḱ- Proto-Indo-European *tetḱ- Proto-Indo-European *-ō Proto-Indo-European *tétḱō Proto-Hellenic *téktōn Ancient Greek τέκτων (téktōn) Ancient Greek ἀρχιτέκτων (arkhitéktōn)bor. Latin architectus Proto-Indo-European *-tew-? Proto-Indo-European *-r-eh₂? Latin -tūra Latin architectūralbor. French architecturebor. English architectureclip. English arch Clipping of architecture.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary