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arc

arc

73 3.2
Part of a circle's edge or any curved line like a rainbow
  • noun
  • /ɑrk/
: arco
  • The rainbow formed a stunning arc across the sky after the rain.
  • arc second
  • arc minute
  • degree of the arc

So you want to get your shots should have a high arc and come straight down.

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Examples

  • Now Gaston turned the blade in a quick arc and leveled it, flat side up, across his midsection.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The white-cloaked riders spread out in an arc, blocking the way firmly.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • One over here, which is this arc and another arc over here.

  • Look at the arc on that thing.

  • So you want to get your shots should have a high arc and come straight down.

  • I threw the ball at a higher arc.

  • The pillow has a slight arc to the sides.

  • The head ducked down in a slow arc, and the animal inspected the car, snorting.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Leia, swinging her new lightsaber in an overlarge arc, was just a shade too slow.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Mrs. Rhodes's glance moves in an arc, settling on the air letter in Laila's lap.

    Fiction book (1992)

Synonyms

bend
vsarc
77 1.2

A curved part of a road, river, pipe, or body

is specifically a smooth circular edge rather than an angled change
bow
vsarc
5 3.7

A curved shape like an arch

is a part of a circular or other curved edge, not the whole form
curved shape
vsarc
1 1.9

A form that bends smoothly without sharp angles, like a rainbow

is a specific part of a circle or curve rather than a whole form

Compounds

3 4.3

A young French woman who leads soldiers against the English and later becomes a saint

arc lamp
  • Archaic
1 5.3

A lamp that makes very bright light by a steady electric spark between two metal rods

arc light
  • Archaic
1 8.1

A lamp that makes very bright light when electricity jumps between two metal rods

carbon arc
  • Archaic
1 7.7

Electricity between two carbon rods makes very bright light and strong heat

electric arc
  • Specialized
1 5.4

A bright, very hot flow of electricity across a gap that makes light and heat

arc tangent
  • Specialized
1 7.9

The angle whose tangent equals a given number

arc sine
  • Specialized
1 8.7

An angle whose sine is a given number

minute of arc
  • Specialized
1 7.9

A small unit for measuring angles equal to one sixtieth of a degree

reflex arc
  • Specialized
1 7.0

A path of nerve cells that sends quick signals for body reactions, like the knee-jerk

carbon arc lamp
  • Archaic
7.7

An electric lamp that makes very bright light by an arc of electricity between two carbon rods

electric-arc furnace
  • Specialized
6.0

A machine that uses an electric arc to melt metal to make steel

arc-boutant
  • Specialized
9.9

A support outside a building that holds up tall walls, like in old churches

arc cosine
  • Specialized
8.8

To find the angle whose cosine equals a given number

arc cosecant
  • Specialized
9.9

To give the angle in trigonometry whose cosecant equals a number

arc cotangent
  • Specialized
9.9

An angle whose cotangent equals a given number

arc secant
  • Specialized
9.9

An angle whose secant or 1 divided by its cosine equals a given number

A strong feeling of courage inside you that helps you act

How Curved

circle
502 1.0
semicircle
6 2.1
arc
73 3.2
bend
77 1.2
line
∞ 1.1

Surface Forms

arc singular
arcs plural

Etymology

Arc comes from the Latin word arcus, which meant 'bow' or 'arch', so picture the curved shape of a bow when you hear arc. That's why we call a curved line or the curved part of a story an 'arc'.