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to arch

to arch

17 3.7
To bend into a curved shape
  • verb
  • /ɑrtʃ/
translation icon : arquear
  • During the yoga class, the instructor asked us to arch our backs to improve our flexibility.
  • arch your back

So that's where the brow should start to arch right at the outside before we get to the white.

Examples

Synonyms

to bend
vsto arch
268 1.0

To make something curved instead of straight

is about creating a specific curved top form rather than any angled change
to curve
vsto arch
22 2.8

To bend into a smooth, rounded shape

is specifically about creating the characteristic curved top form rather than any smooth turn
to flex
vsto arch
17 3.2

To curve under pressure, like a branch or metal

means shaping into a fixed curved top form not just bending a joint
to arc
vsto arch
3 4.4

To move in a smooth curved path, like lightning across the sky

focuses on making a stationary curved top shape rather than motion along a path
to arch over
vsto arch
1 4.4

Form a curved shape above something like a road or river

is the general act of making a curved shape not only above things
to overarch
vsto arch
7.1

To make a curved shape over something, like a roof or bridge

is the basic action of forming a curved shape rather than spanning specifically

Phrasal Verbs

1 4.4

Form a curved shape above something like a road or river

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 Curved

to arch
17 3.7
to curve
22 2.8
to bend
268 1.0
to straighten
114 2.5

Surface Forms

arch infinitive
arched past
arched past participle
arching present participle
arches third person singular

Etymology

Arch as a verb comes from the same idea of Latin arcus 'bow' and the noun arch, meaning 'to make a curve like a bow'. So to arch your back or eyebrows is to bend them into a curved shape.