Category:Arch

Arch, n. Etym: [F. arche, fr. LL. arca, for arcus. See Arc.]

1. (Geom.)

Defn: Any part of a curved line.

2. (Arch.) (a) Usually a curved member made up of separate wedge-shaped solids, with the joints between them disposed in the direction of the radii of the curve; used to support the wall or other weight above an opening. In this sense arches are segmental, round (i. e., semicircular), or pointed. (b) A flat arch is a member constructed of stones cut into wedges or other shapes so as to support each other without rising in a curve.

Note: Scientifically considered, the arch is a means of spanning an opening by resolving vertical pressure into horizontal or diagonal thrust.

3. Any place covered by an arch; an archway; as, to pass into the arch of a bridge.

4. Any curvature in the form of an arch; as, the arch of the aorta. "Colors of the showery arch." Milton. Triumphal arch, a monumental structure resembling an arched gateway, with one or more passages, erected to commemorate a triumph.

Arch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Arched; p. pr. & vb. n. Arching.]

1. To cover with an arch or arches.

2. To form or bend into the shape of an arch. The horse arched his neck. Charlesworth.

Arch, v. i.

Defn: To form into an arch; to curve.

Arch, a. Etym: [See Arch-, pref.]

1. Chief; eminent; greatest; principal. The most arch act of piteous massacre. Shak.

2. Cunning or sly; sportively mischievous; roguish; as, an arch look, word, lad. [He] spoke his request with so arch a leer. Tatler.

Arch, n. Etym: [See Arch-, pref.]

Defn: A chief. [Obs.] My worthy arch and patron comes to-night. Shak.


 * arch. Etym: [Gr. Arch, a.]

Defn: A suffix meaning a ruler, as in monarch (a sole ruler).

-- ---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary.

Arch - An architectural term found only in Ezekiel 40:16, Ezekiel 40:21 - 40:22, Ezekiel 40:26, Ezekiel 40:29. There is no absolute proof that the Israelites employed arches in their buildings. The arch was employed in the building of the pyramids of Egypt. The oldest existing arch is at Thebes, and bears the date 1350 B.C.. There are also still found the remains of an arch, known as Robinson's Arch, of the bridge connecting Zion and Moriah. (See TYROPOEON VALLEY.)