Arch
WordNet
adjective
(1) (used of behavior or attitude) characteristic of those who treat others with condescension
noun
(2) (architecture) a masonry construction (usually curved) for spanning an opening and supporting the weight above it
(3) A passageway under a curved masonry construction
"They built a triumphal arch to memorialize their victory"
(4) A curved bony structure supporting or enclosing organs (especially the inner sides of the feet)
(5) A curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
verb
(6) Form an arch or curve
"Her back arches"
"Her hips curve nicely"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From < (French ), a feminine form of < .
Noun
- An inverted U shape.
- An arch-shaped arrangement of trapezoidal stones, designed to redistribute downward force outward.
- An architectural element having the shape of an arch
Verb
- To form into an arch shape
- The cat arched its back
Adjective
- knowing, clever
- I attempted to hide my emotions, but an arch remark escaped my lips.
Prefix
arch
- Highly placed in a hierarchy, particularly used of church officials
- He eventually rose to the rank of archdeacon
- Primary among many
- The Joker was Batman's arch-nemesis