n.
Pronunciation: ' ärk
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English ark, from Anglo-French arc bow, from Latin arcus bow, arch, arc ― more at ARROW
Date: 14th century
1 : the apparent path described above and below the horizon by a celestial body (as the sun)
2 a : something arched or curved b : a curved path <the arc of a fly ball>
3 : a sustained luminous discharge of electricity across a gap in a circuit or between electrodes also : ARC LAMP
4 : a continuous portion (as of a circle or ellipse) of a curved line
5 : degree measurement on the circumference of a circle ― used especially in the phrase of arc <11 minutes 3 seconds of arc >
6 : a continuous progression or line of development <a story's dramatic arc >