n.
Pronunciation: ' ärk
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English arc, from Latin arca chest; akin to Latin arc ē re to hold off, defend, Greek arkein, Hittite ḫ ark- to have, hold
Date: before 12th century
1 a : a boat or ship held to resemble that in which Noah and his family were preserved from the Flood b : something that affords protection and safety
2 a : the sacred chest representing to the Hebrews the presence of God among them b : a repository traditionally in or against the wall of a synagogue for the scrolls of the Torah