/ɑɹk/ (General-American) by analogy to arc, nonstandard
Etymology
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂erkʷ-
Proto-Indo-European *h₂erkʷos
Proto-Italic *arkuos
Latin arcus
Old French arc
Old French archebor.
Middle English arch
English arch
From Middle English arch, arche, from Old French arche (“an arch”), a feminine form of arc, from Latin arcus (“a bow, arc, arch”). Doublet of arc and arco. Displaced native Old English bīeġels and Old English hwealf.
Meanings
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
mk свод (arrangement of trapezoidal stones) · ru свод (arrangement of trapezoidal stones) · sl obok (architectural element) · wa åtche (architectural element) · de Fußbogen (curved part of the bottom of a foot) · el αψίδα (architectural element) · my မုခ်ခုံး (architectural element) · mk арка (architectural element) · gv aae (architectural element) · cmn 拱形 (inverted U shape) · arz قوس (inverted U shape) · cmn 拱券 (architectural element) · pl łuk (architectural element) · ota كمر (architectural element) · ang bīeġels (architectural element) · ru а́рка (inverted U shape) · mi piko ānau (inverted U shape) · pt arco (architectural element) · eo arko (inverted U shape) · ml കമാനം (architectural element) · be дуга́ (inverted U shape) · mi tāwhana (inverted U shape) · tg тоқ (architectural element) · fa طاق (architectural element) · be а́рка (architectural element) · eo arko (architectural element) · ru свод (architectural element) · gd bogha (inverted U shape) · ru дуга́ (inverted U shape) · de Bogen (inverted U shape) · ga trácht (curved part of the bottom of a foot) · hu rüszt (curved part of the bottom of a foot) · th ช่องโค้ง (architectural element) · ar قَوْس (architectural element) · nb bue (architectural element) · mi whakaare (inverted U shape) · cmn 拱 (arrangement of trapezoidal stones) · uk а́рка (inverted U shape) · et kaar (architectural element) · gul aa’ch (inverted U shape) · cs klenba (arrangement of trapezoidal stones) · mk лак (inverted U shape) · uz toq (architectural element) · kmr kevane (inverted U shape) · sv fotvalv (curved part of the bottom of a foot) · fi kaari (inverted U shape) · de Bogen (arrangement of trapezoidal stones) · ca arc (architectural element) · sco pend (architectural element) · cmn 拱門 /拱门 (arrangement of trapezoidal stones) · es arco (arrangement of trapezoidal stones) · tr kemer (architectural element) · mk свод (inverted U shape) · cmn 拱 (inverted U shape) · fr voûte plantaire (curved part of the bottom of a foot) · cs oblouk (arrangement of trapezoidal stones) · sv valvbåge (architectural element) · cs oblouk (inverted U shape) · hy կամար (architectural element) · is bogi (architectural element) · hy կամար (arrangement of trapezoidal stones) · grc ἁψίς (architectural element) · fi kaari (architectural element) · ru свод (curved part of the bottom of a foot) · ro arc (architectural element) · de Fußgewölbe (curved part of the bottom of a foot) · sl lok (architectural element) · ru а́рка (arrangement of trapezoidal stones) · pl łuk (curved part of the bottom of a foot) · nl boog (inverted U shape) · io arko (architectural element) · io arko (inverted U shape) · arz بكية (inverted U shape) · pl łuk (arrangement of trapezoidal stones) · cs oblouk (architectural element) · uk дуга́ (inverted U shape) · hi चाप (architectural element) · fa کمان (inverted U shape) · sk oblúk (architectural element) · es arco (inverted U shape) · sv båge (inverted U shape) · sv båge (architectural element) · ka თაღი (architectural element) · uz arka (architectural element) · es puente (curved part of the bottom of a foot) · mi waerewa (curved part of the bottom of a foot) · kk доға (architectural element) · gd bogha (architectural element) · gl galga (curved part of the bottom of a foot) · la arcus (inverted U shape) · sl obok (arrangement of trapezoidal stones) · ca arc (inverted U shape) · ca arc (arrangement of trapezoidal stones) · fi holvikaari (arrangement of trapezoidal stones) · fr arc (architectural element) · hy կամար (inverted U shape) · ba көмбәҙ (architectural element) · io arko (arrangement of trapezoidal stones) · it arco (architectural element) · sv valv (architectural element) · sh лу̑к (architectural element) · fr arche (inverted U shape) · es puente/arco podal (curved part of the bottom of a foot) · ar قَوْس (inverted U shape) · el αψίδα (inverted U shape) · pt arco (arrangement of trapezoidal stones) · uz ravoq (architectural element) · el αψίδα (arrangement of trapezoidal stones) · de Spann (curved part of the bottom of a foot) · sv hålfot (curved part of the bottom of a foot) · da bue (inverted U shape) · fa قوس (inverted U shape) · cmn 拱門 /拱门 (architectural element) · pt arco (inverted U shape) · ru а́рка (architectural element) · he קֶשֶׁת (architectural element) · es arco del pie (curved part of the bottom of a foot) · da bue (architectural element) · az tağ (architectural element) · sh lȗk (architectural element) · be лука́ (inverted U shape) · cmn 足弓 (curved part of the bottom of a foot) · ja アーチ (architectural element) · fur arc (architectural element) · ko 아치 (architectural element) · fi jalkaholvi (curved part of the bottom of a foot) · sco pend (arrangement of trapezoidal stones) · tg равоқ (architectural element) · bg свод (arrangement of trapezoidal stones) · es arco (architectural element) · kmr kevane (architectural element) · fi kaari (arrangement of trapezoidal stones) · vi vòm (architectural element) · sco bow (inverted U shape) · fr arc (inverted U shape) · pl łuk (inverted U shape) · be а́рка (inverted U shape) · lv arka (architectural element) · acw قوس (inverted U shape) · uk а́рка (architectural element) · cmn 拱 (architectural element) · gd bogha (arrangement of trapezoidal stones) · lt arka (architectural element) · de Bogen (architectural element) · ms gerbang (architectural element) · mk свод (architectural element) · az qövs (inverted U shape) · bg дъга (inverted U shape) · hu ív (architectural element) · nl boog (architectural element) · ota طاق (architectural element) · la arcus (architectural element) · ky дого (architectural element) · bg арка (architectural element)
arch en · VERB · etymology 1
Pronunciation
/ɑːk/ (Received-Pronunciation) by analogy to arc, nonstandard
/ɑɹk/ (General-American) by analogy to arc, nonstandard
Etymology
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂erkʷ-
Proto-Indo-European *h₂erkʷos
Proto-Italic *arkuos
Latin arcus
Old French arc
Old French archebor.
Middle English arch
English arch
From Middle English arch, arche, from Old French arche (“an arch”), a feminine form of arc, from Latin arcus (“a bow, arc, arch”). Doublet of arc and arco. Displaced native Old English bīeġels and Old English hwealf.
Meanings
(transitive) To form into an arch shape.
GBR will either be letting operating contracts or running rail companies directly, depending on which party wins the next General Election. Whichever it is, you can be forgiven for arching an eyebrow at an infrastructure company being placed in overall control. 2024 March 6, Philip Haigh, “Comment: Who will run our railways?”, in RAIL, number 1004, page 3:
The cat arched its back.
(transitive) To cover with an arch or arches.
Forms
Spelling
Features
Labels
Source
arches
Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres
lexicographic
arched
Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part
lexicographic
arched
Tense=Past
lexicographic
arching
Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part
lexicographic
Translations (25)
es arquear (form into arch) · ml വളയുക (form into arch) · io arkigar (form into arch) · de krümmen (form into arch) · gul aa’ch (form into arch) · cmn 拱 (form into arch) · es arcarse (reflexive) · es enarcar (form into arch) · sv välva sig (form into arch) · mi tīwhana (form into arch) · ml വളയ്ക്കുക (form into arch) · fr cambrer (form into arch) · es arquearse (reflexive) · es arcar (form into arch) · ca arquejar (form into arch) · el κυρτώνω (form into arch) · pt arquear (form into arch) · pl wyginać w łuk (form into arch) · eo kurbigi (form into arch) · cmn 弓 (form into arch) · es enarcarse (reflexive) · pl tworzyć łuk (form into arch) · fi köyristää (form into arch) · mi whakatuapuku (form into arch) · ru изгиба́ться дуго́й (form into arch)
arch en · ADJ · etymology 2
Pronunciation
/ɑːk/ (Received-Pronunciation) by analogy to arc, nonstandard
/ɑɹk/ (General-American) by analogy to arc, nonstandard
Etymology
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂er-der.?
Proto-Indo-European *h₂ergʰ-der.?
Ancient Greek ἄρχω (árkhō)
Ancient Greek ἀρχι- (arkhi-)der.
Latin archi-bor.
Old English arċe-
Middle English arch-
English arch-
English arch
From the prefix arch-. "Principal" is the original sense; "mischievous" is via onetime frequent collocation with rogue, knave, etc.
Meanings
Knowing, clever, mischievous.
Lassiter ended there with dry humor, yet behind that was meaning. Jane blushed and made arch eyes at him. 1912 January, Zane Grey, chapter 3, in Riders of the Purple Sage […], New York, N.Y.; London: Harper & Brothers Publishers, →OCLC:
Ms. Brier specializes in point of view, or P.O.V., videos that confront relatable, often hateable characters, with a subtle sneer, gleefully rubbery body and arch delivery of generational catchphrases like “slay, queen” and “I got you,” often repeated for effect. 2023 March 14, Alexandra Jacobs, “Your Annoying Roommate Is Slaying on TikTok”, in The New York Times:
When you're watching a Wes Anderson film, you know it. Within seconds, you spot the symmetrical compositions, the horizontal camera moves, the blocks of garish colour, the san-serif lettering, the arch, wordy, vaguely melancholy humour and all the other elements that distinguish his comedies from everyone else's. 2021 July 12, Nicholas Barber, “The French Dispatch: Four stars for Wes Anderson's latest”, in BBC:
I was every day furniſhing the Court with ſome ridiculous Story; and Glumdalclitch, although ſhe loved me to Exceſs, yet was arch enough to inform the Queen, whenever I committed any Folly that ſhe thought would be diverting to her Majeſty. 1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], “Several Adventures that Happened to the Author. […]”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. […] [Gulliver’s Travels], volume I, London: […] Benj[amin] Motte, […], →OCLC, part II (A Voyage to Brobdingnag), page 247:
A certain melancholy that touched her countenance must have been of recent birth, for it had not yet altered the fine and youthful contours of her cheek, nor subdued the arch though resolute curve of her lips. 1906 April, O. Henry [pseudonym; William Sydney Porter], “By Courier”, in The Four Million, New York, N.Y.: McClure, Phillips & Co, →OCLC:
[He] spoke his request with so arch a leer. 1710 July 14 (Gregorian calendar), Isaac Bickerstaff [et al., pseudonyms; Richard Steele et al.], “Monday, July 4, 1710”, in The Tatler, number 193; republished in [Richard Steele], editor, The Tatler, […], London stereotype edition, volume III, London: I. Walker and Co.; […], 1822, →OCLC:
Not trusting filmgoers to catch the drift, Ms. Coppola underscores the women’s attempts to gussy up with snippets of arch dialogue. 2017 June 30, Ruth La Ferla, “In ‘The Beguiled,’ Pretty Confections Whipped Up to Seduce”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
Each meeting is free-flowing and the discussion less arch, less cut-and-thrust than the repartee at parties thrown in the book by the aristocratic `Guermantes family—although Proust teachs you to look for the unspoken in life as in literature. 2026 July 25, Josh Spero, “Proust in the age of TikTok”, in FT Weekend (Life & Arts section), London: The Financial Times Ltd., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 2:
I attempted to hide my emotions, but an arch remark escaped my lips.
“Oh!” cried Mrs. Green, with an arch laugh, “you are acquainted with Monsieur Margot, then?” 1828, [Edward Bulwer-Lytton], chapter XVI, in Pelham; or, The Adventures of a Gentleman. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 112:
Blanche’s grey eyes gazed at Foker with such an arch twinkle that both of them burst out laughing […] 1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter 46, in The History of Pendennis. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1849–1850, →OCLC:
(Ireland) Cute, sly, prematurely wise.
Principal; primary.
Challenger the super scientist, Challenger the arch-pioneer, Challenger the first man of all men whom Mother Earth had been compelled to recognize. 1928 February 25 – March 3, Arthur Conan Doyle, “When the World Screamed”, in The Professor Challenger Stories […], London: John Murray, […], published [1952], →OCLC, page 577:
the most arch act of piteous massacre c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii]:
/ɑɹk/ (General-American) by analogy to arc, nonstandard
Etymology
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂er-der.?
Proto-Indo-European *h₂ergʰ-der.?
Ancient Greek ἄρχω (árkhō)
Ancient Greek ἀρχι- (arkhi-)der.
Latin archi-bor.
Old English arċe-
Middle English arch-
English arch-
English arch
From the prefix arch-. "Principal" is the original sense; "mischievous" is via onetime frequent collocation with rogue, knave, etc.
Meanings
(obsolete) A chief.
My worthy arch and patron comes to-night. c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii]:
Synonym of god (“person who owns and runs a multi-user dungeon”).
/ɑɹk/ (General-American) by analogy to arc, nonstandard
Etymology
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂er-der.?
Proto-Indo-European *h₂ergʰ-der.?
Ancient Greek ἄρχω (árkhō)
Ancient Greek ἀρχι- (arkhi-)
Proto-Indo-European *teḱ-
Proto-Indo-European *tetḱ-
Proto-Indo-European *-ō
Proto-Indo-European *tétḱō
Proto-Hellenic *téktōn
Ancient Greek τέκτων (téktōn)
Ancient Greek ἀρχιτέκτων (arkhitéktōn)bor.
Latin architectus
Proto-Indo-European *-tew-?
Proto-Indo-European *-r-eh₂?
Latin -tūra
Latin architectūralbor.
French architecturebor.
English architectureclip.
English arch
Clipping of architecture.
Meanings
(qualifier:operating systems) An architecture; a computer architecture or instruction set architecture.
In the Linux kernel, arch-specific code lives in the arch directory of the source tree.