I. ˈärch noun
Etymology: Middle English arche, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin * arca, from Latin arcus — more at arrow
Date: 14th century
1. : a typically curved structural member spanning an opening and serving as a support (as for the wall or other weight above the opening)
2.
a. : something resembling an arch in form or function ; especially : either of two vaulted portions of the bony structure of the foot that impart elasticity to it
b. : a curvature having the form of an arch
3. : archway
[
arch 1: 1 round: imp impost, sp springer, v voussoir, k keystone, ext extrados, int intrados; 2 horseshoe; 3 lancet; 4 ogee; 5 trefoil; 6 basket-handle; 7 Tudor
]
II. verb
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1. : to cover or provide with an arch
2. : to form into an arch
intransitive verb
1. : to form an arch
2. : to take an arch-shaped course
III. adjective
Etymology: arch- (I)
Date: 1547
1. : principal , chief
your arch opponent
2.
a. : mischievous , saucy
b. : marked by a deliberate and often forced playfulness, irony, or impudence
known for her arch comments
decided to answer them by being teacherly in a sort of arch , Olympian way — Gerald Early
• arch·ness noun
IV. abbreviation
1. archaic
2. archery
3. architect; architectural; architecture