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arch

arch

41 3.5
A curved structure that spans an opening and supports weight
  • noun
  • /ɑrtʃ/
translation icon : arco
  • The bar was through an arch to the right of the door from the beach.
  • triumphal arch
  • pointed arch
  • proscenium arch

A railway arch with a big set of speakers.

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Examples

  • Let's go up to the Corner House at Marble Arch.

  • We passed under a big arch.

  • Pass under an arch, immediately to the right, there is a bridge.

  • Maybe the arch can go into one of the gardens?

  • Meet me here at 10 by the arch.

  • Thus, the downward pressure from one arch serves to support the downward pressure from another arch.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The views from one of these formations, Arch Rock, are simply spectacular.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Carved on the chancel arch, the figure is part of a series of motifs.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Reith walked briskly through an open arch into a room paneled with mirrors.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • The old stone arch over the entrance to the castle was beautifully decorated.

Synonyms

archway
vsarch
16 4.0

A curved opening people walk through, often made of stone or brick

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
pointed arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
1 6.8

An arch with a pointed top used in old churches in Europe

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
Roman arch
vsarch
1 6.2

A curved half-circle structure that supports doorways or bridges

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
1 6.1

A large arch that people build to celebrate a victory or important event

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
proscenium arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
1 8.6

An arch over a stage that makes a frame between the actors and the audience

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
semicircular arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
5.8

A curved structure shaped like a half circle used above doors and bridges

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
round arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
4.1

A curved half-circle shape above a door or bridge seen in Roman buildings

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
Moorish arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
9.4

An arch wider at the bottom that curves to a rounded top and appears in Islamic buildings

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
horseshoe arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
8.1

An arch with a rounded top that curves wider than a half circle

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
Gothic arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
7.4

A stone arch with a pointed top often seen in cathedrals

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
Tudor arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
8.2

A low, slightly pointed arch used on old English buildings

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
keel arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
9.9

A pointed arch with S-shaped curves on each side like a ship's bottom

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
corbel arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
9.9

An arch made by stacking layers of stone or brick that stick inward until they meet at the top

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
bell arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
9.1

An arch with a rounded top that rests on stones sticking out from a wall like a bell

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
flat arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
7.9

A straight horizontal top for a door or window made of angled stones that support each other

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
straight arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
7.2

A structure with a straight horizontal top made of stones cut like wedges that support each other

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
scheme arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
8.8

An arch that is less than half as tall as it is wide

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
three-centered arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
9.9

A curved opening made by joining three curves into a wide, low shape

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
drop arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
8.7

An arch with a gently pointed, shallow curve used in buildings

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
rampant arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
9.9

A curved building part that starts higher on one side than the other

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
camber arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
8.9

An arch with a flat top and a slightly curved bottom used in doorways or bridges

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
sconcheon arch
vsarch
  • UK
9.9

A curved section in a thick wall that holds the wall above an opening like a window or door

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
scoinson arch
vsarch
  • Archaic
9.9

A curved stone support inside a wall that holds weight above

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
trimmer arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
9.9

A curved support built between short floor beams to carry the weight of a fireplace opening

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
abutment arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
9.0

An arch that rests on a strong wall at one or both ends to carry weight

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
pier arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
8.1

An arch that rests on thick upright supports instead of columns or walls

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
broken arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
8.1

An arch with a gap at the top often filled with decorations

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
safety arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
7.9

A curved support inside a building or bridge that holds heavy weight

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
shouldered arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
9.9

An arch with a horizontal beam resting on stones that stick in from each side of an opening

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight
segmental arch
vsarch
  • Specialized
7.4

An arch with a curve smaller than a half circle used for doors and bridges

is the general curved support spanning openings to carry weight

Compounds

5 7.8

A person's main enemy who often opposes them

2 3.1

A part of a shoe that holds up the curved middle of the foot

aortic arch
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A curved part of the main artery from the heart that sends blood to the head, neck, and arms

pointed arch
  • Specialized
1 6.8

An arch with a pointed top used in old churches in Europe

zygomatic arch
  • Specialized
1 9.0

A curved bone on the side of the skull where the cheek meets the head

fallen arch
  • Specialized
1 7.4

The curved part of the foot becomes flat so the whole sole touches the ground

neural arch
  • Specialized
1 7.8

Curved bony part at the back of a spine bone that surrounds the spinal cord

proscenium arch
  • Specialized
1 8.6

An arch over a stage that makes a frame between the actors and the audience

1 6.2

A curved half-circle structure that supports doorways or bridges

A large arch that people build to celebrate a victory or important event

A bridge built of steel with its main support shaped like an arch

basket-handle arch
  • Specialized
8.2

An arch with a wide, flat curve made from parts of three circles, often used in bridges and large buildings

bell arch
  • Specialized
9.1

An arch with a rounded top that rests on stones sticking out from a wall like a bell

branchial arch
  • Specialized
9.9

A series of arches on each side of a fish's throat that support the gills

broken arch
  • Specialized
8.1

An arch with a gap at the top often filled with decorations

camber arch
  • Specialized
8.9

An arch with a flat top and a slightly curved bottom used in doorways or bridges

corbel arch
  • Specialized
9.9

An arch made by stacking layers of stone or brick that stick inward until they meet at the top

An arch whose height is less than half its width

drop arch
  • Specialized
8.7

An arch with a gently pointed, shallow curve used in buildings

abutment arch
  • Specialized
9.0

An arch that rests on a strong wall at one or both ends to carry weight

alveolar arch
  • Specialized
8.8

A curved part of the upper or lower jaw that holds the teeth

arch doxy
  • NSFW
9.9

A well-known woman who leads or influences a group

flat arch
  • Specialized
7.9

A straight horizontal top for a door or window made of angled stones that support each other

four-centered arch
  • Specialized
9.9

A wide, low arch with a gentle point used in old churches and houses

lancet arch
  • Specialized
9.9

A tall narrow pointed arch common in early Gothic churches

metatarsal arch
  • Specialized
7.7

A curved area under the front of the foot that supports weight when standing or walking

Moorish arch
  • Specialized
9.4

An arch wider at the bottom that curves to a rounded top and appears in Islamic buildings

gill arch
  • Specialized
9.5

A curved bone or cartilage in the throat of fish and some water amphibians that holds the gills

Gothic arch
  • Specialized
7.4

A stone arch with a pointed top often seen in cathedrals

hemal arch
  • Specialized
9.9

A bony part under a tail bone that protects tail blood vessels

horseshoe arch
  • Specialized
8.1

An arch with a rounded top that curves wider than a half circle

keel arch
  • Specialized
9.9

A pointed arch with S-shaped curves on each side like a ship's bottom

rampant arch
  • Specialized
9.9

A curved building part that starts higher on one side than the other

round arch
  • Specialized
4.1

A curved half-circle shape above a door or bridge seen in Roman buildings

rowlock arch
  • Specialized
9.9

An arch made of two or more rings of wedge-shaped stones

safety arch
  • Specialized
7.9

A curved support inside a building or bridge that holds heavy weight

ogee arch
  • Specialized
9.9

A pointed arch with S-shaped sides used in old churches

pectoral arch
  • Specialized
8.6

Bones near the shoulder made of the collarbones and shoulder blades that support the arm

pelvic arch
  • Specialized
7.0

The bones at the base of the spine that support the legs

pier arch
  • Specialized
8.1

An arch that rests on thick upright supports instead of columns or walls

scoinson arch
  • Archaic
9.9

A curved stone support inside a wall that holds weight above

A curved section in a thick wall that holds the wall above an opening like a window or door

scheme arch
  • Specialized
8.8

An arch that is less than half as tall as it is wide

segmental arch
  • Specialized
7.4

An arch with a curve smaller than a half circle used for doors and bridges

semicircular arch
  • Specialized
5.8

A curved structure shaped like a half circle used above doors and bridges

sunken arch
  • Specialized
6.1

A foot problem where the middle part is flat so the whole bottom of the foot touches the ground

superciliary arch
  • Specialized
9.9

A ridge of bone above the eye socket on the forehead

three-centered arch
  • Specialized
9.9

A curved opening made by joining three curves into a wide, low shape

trefoil arch
  • Specialized
9.9

A pointed arch with three round parts that looks like a cloverleaf

trimmer arch
  • Specialized
9.9

A curved support built between short floor beams to carry the weight of a fireplace opening

trumpet arch
  • Specialized
9.9

A cone-shaped corner support that helps carry a dome over a square room

shouldered arch
  • Specialized
9.9

An arch with a horizontal beam resting on stones that stick in from each side of an opening

skene arch
  • Specialized
9.9

A curved opening in a wall that is lower than it is wide

skew arch
  • Specialized
9.4

An arch with ends that meet the front at an angle and that is used on bridges or tunnels

skeen arch
  • Specialized
9.9

A low arch that is less than half as high as it is wide

straight arch
  • Specialized
7.2

A structure with a straight horizontal top made of stones cut like wedges that support each other

Tudor arch
  • Specialized
8.2

A low, slightly pointed arch used on old English buildings

vertebral arch
  • Specialized
8.3

Curved bony part at the back of a spine bone that protects the spinal cord

How Big

viaduct
6 7.2
vault
4 5.8
semicircular arch
  • Specialized
5.8
arch
41 3.5
segmental arch
  • Specialized
7.4

Surface Forms

arch singular
arches plural

Etymology

Arch comes from the Latin arcus 'bow', so think of the curved shape of a bow and the word archer. So an architectural arch is a curved structure that supports weight by acting like a bow and sending the force down its sides.