ˈärk, ˈȧk noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English arc, earc; akin to Old High German arahha ark, Old Norse örk, Gothic arka, all from a prehistoric Germanic word borrowed from Latin arca; akin to Latin arcēre to hold off, enclose, Greek arkein to ward off, defend, Lithuanian rāktas key, Hittite hḫark- to have, hold and perhaps to Middle English rail, Old High German rigil; basic meaning: protecting, locking in
1. now chiefly dialect
a. : a chest, coffer, covered basket, or other closed receptacle
b. : bin , hutch
c. Britain : a small movable poultry house having the shape of an inverted V
2.
a. : a boat or ship felt to resemble in some way that in which according to Gen 6 Noah and his family together with pairs of animals were preserved from the Deluge
b. : a large flatboat formerly used on American rivers to carry produce and stock to market — called also broadhorn
c. : a wanigan on a log raft
d. : something that affords protection and safety
many look to the United States as an ark of refuge
3. : an ornamental somewhat elevated closet or recess traditionally built into or placed against the wall of a synagogue on the side nearest Jerusalem and serving as a repository for the scrolls of the Torah used in public worship
4. : a storage vat for potter's clay slip
5. : ark shell