arch

¹

[ ahrch ]

noun

1. Architecture.
   1. a curved masonry construction for spanning an opening, consisting of a number of wedgelike stones, bricks, or the like, set with the narrower side toward the opening in such a way that forces on the arch are transmitted as vertical or oblique stresses on either side of the opening.
   2. an upwardly curved construction, as of steel or timber functioning in the manner of a masonry arch.
   3. a doorway, gateway, etc., having a curved head; an archway.
   4. the curved head of an opening, as a doorway.
2. any overhead curvature resembling an arch.
3. something bowed or curved; any bowlike part:

   the arch of the foot.

4. a device inserted in or built into shoes for supporting the arch of the foot.
5. a dam construction having the form of a barrel vault running vertically with its convex face toward the impounded water.
6. Glassmaking.
   1. a chamber or opening in a glassmaking furnace.
   2. pot arch.

verb (used with object)

1. to cover with a vault, or span with an arch:

   the rude bridge that arched the flood.

2. to throw or make into the shape of an arch or vault; curve:

   The horse arched its neck.

verb (used without object)

1. to form an arch:

   elms arching over the road.

2. Nautical. hog ( def 14 ).

arch-

²

1. a combining form that represents the outcome of archi- in words borrowed through Latin from Greek in the Old English period; it subsequently became a productive form added to nouns of any origin, which thus denote individuals or institutions directing or having authority over others of their class ( archbishop; archdiocese; archpriest ). More recently, arch-1 has developed the senses “principal” ( archenemy; archrival ) or “prototypical” and thus exemplary or extreme ( archconservative ); nouns so formed are almost always pejorative.

arch

³

[ ahrch ]

adjective

1. playfully roguish or mischievous:

   an arch smile.

2. cunning; crafty; sly.

noun

1. Obsolete. a person who is preeminent; a chief.

arch-

⁴

1. variant of archi- before a vowel:

   archangel; archenteron.

-arch

⁵

1. a combining form meaning “chief, leader, ruler,” used in the formation of compound words:

   monarch; matriarch; heresiarch.

arch.

⁶

abbreviation for

1. archaic.
2. archaism.
3. archery.
4. archipelago.
5. architect.
6. architectural.
7. architecture.
8. archive; archives.

Arch.

⁷

abbreviation for

1. Archbishop.

arch-

¹

combining_form

1. chief; principal; of highest rank

   archbishop

   archduke

   archangel

2. eminent above all others of the same kind; extreme

   archenemy

   archfool

   archfiend

arch.

²

abbreviation for

1. archaic
2. archaism

-arch

³

combining form

1. leader; ruler; chief

   patriarch

   monarch

   heresiarch

arch

⁴

/ ɑːtʃ /

adjective

1. prenominal chief; principal; leading

   his arch rival

2. prenominal very experienced; expert

   an arch criminal

3. knowing or superior
4. playfully or affectedly roguish or mischievous

arch

⁵

/ ɑːtʃ /

noun

1. a curved structure, normally in the vertical plane, that spans an opening
2. Also calledarchway a structure in the form of an arch that serves as a gateway
3. something curved like an arch
4. 1. any of various parts or structures of the body having a curved or archlike outline, such as the transverse portion of the aorta ( arch of the aorta ) or the raised bony vault formed by the tarsal and metatarsal bones ( arch of the foot )
   2. one of the basic patterns of the human fingerprint, formed by several curved ridges one above the other Compare loop 1 whorl

verb

1. tr to span (an opening) with an arch
2. to form or cause to form an arch or a curve resembling that of an arch

   the cat arched its back

3. tr to span or extend over

   the bridge arched the flooded stream

arch

1. In architecture, a curved or pointed opening that spans a doorway, window, or other space.

Notes

The form of arch used in building often serves to distinguish styles of architecture from one another. For example, Romanesque architecture usually employs a round arch, and Gothic architecture, a pointed arch.

Derived Forms

• ˈarchness, noun
• ˈarchly, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of arch¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English arch(e), from Old French arche, from Vulgar Latin arca (unrecorded), feminine variant of Latin arcus arc

Origin of arch²

Middle English; Old English arce-, ærce-, erce- (> Old Norse erki- ) < Latin archi- < Greek ( archi- ); but Dutch aarts-, Middle Low German erse-, Middle High German, German Erz- < Medieval Latin arci-, and Gothic ark- directly < Greek. archangel

Origin of arch³

First recorded in 1680–90; independent use of arch- ¹

Origin of arch⁴

< Greek -archos or -archēs, as comb. forms of árchos leader; archi-

Word History and Origins

Origin of arch¹

ultimately from Greek arkhi-, from arkhein to rule

Origin of arch²

from Greek -arkhēs, from arkhein to rule; compare arch-

Origin of arch³

C16: independent use of arch-

Origin of arch⁴

C14: from Old French arche, from Vulgar Latin arca (unattested), from Latin arcus bow, arc

Example Sentences

On the steps of the old courthouse in the shadow of the arch where Al Sharpton addressed a media horde.

From The Daily Beast

Meanwhile, in the town plaza, arch-rival Brazilian and Argentinian fans were busy hurling insults and beer bottles at one another.

From The Daily Beast

This has all fueled attacks against Comstock by her opponents in the primary, who include arch conservative Del.

From The Daily Beast

In contrast, arch-rival California has lost a half a million.

From The Daily Beast

After a while, as we were arguing about the Thicket, it occurred to us that all in the house save Arch and me had gone to bed.

From The Daily Beast

The way was under a double row of tall trees, which met at the top and formed a green arch over our heads.

From Project Gutenberg

He thought a little longer, and as he did so, a vision of his arch enemy rose before him.

From Project Gutenberg

A golden eagle, the armorial ensign of the Ripperda family, crested the centre arch.

From Project Gutenberg

Bonaparte made his public entry into Milan under a triumphal arch.

From Project Gutenberg

The girl, without saying a word, takes her by the cold hand, and leads her quickly down to the arch that opens on the hall.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• sly

Words That Use -arch

What does -arch mean?

The combining form -arch is used like a suffix meaning “chief, leader, or ruler.” It is often used in technical terms, especially in sociology.

The form -arch comes from Greek árchos, meaning “leader,” and shares a root with the combining form archi-, meaning “first, principal.” Discover why at our entry for archi-.

What are variants of -arch?

While -arch doesn’t have any variants, it is related to the form -archy, as in matriarchy. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use -archy article.

Examples of -arch

An example of a word you may have encountered that features -arch is matriarch, “the female head of a family or tribal line.”

Matri- is a form that means “mother,” from Latin māter, while the -arch portion of the word means “leader.” Matriarch literally translates to “mother-leader.”

What are some words that use the equivalent of the combining form -arch in Greek?

• exarch
• monarch
• oligarch
• patriarch
• tetrarch

What are some other forms that -arch may be commonly confused with?

• -ard
• -arian
• -ary

Not every word that ends with the exact letters -arch, such as diarch, is necessarily using the combining form -arch to denote “leader.” Learn about the botanical term diarch at our entry for the word.

Break it down!

The combining form mon- means “alone, single.” With this in mind, what does monarch literally mean?