safety arch
- noun
- Specialized
:
arco de seguridad
- Modern renovations sometimes expose the original safety arch that supported the roof.
Examples
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The engineer recommended adding a safety arch to stabilize the old stone bridge.
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A safety arch can prevent the collapse of large interior spaces under heavy loads.
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The safety arch is essential.
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Look at that safety arch!
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A safety arch can prevent the collapse of large interior spaces under heavy loads.
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The engineer recommended adding a safety arch to stabilize the old stone bridge.
-
Modern renovations sometimes expose the original safety arch that supported the roof.
Synonyms
41
3.5
A curved structure that spans an opening and supports weight
A curved section in a thick wall that holds the wall above an opening like a window or door
A curved stone support inside a wall that holds weight above
How Strong
- Specialized
1
8.6
- Specialized
1
7.3
- Specialized
41
3.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'an arch built to provide additional strength or support' is directly derivable from combining 'safety' (protection from danger) and 'arch' (arched structural element). This straightforward noun+noun composition follows normal English compounding and describes a structural function that is cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should understand it.
Etymology
Safety arch comes from a plain arch placed inside a building to take heavy weight and stop parts from falling. Because the arch gives safety, the term now means 'extra support' inside a building.