Arch Meaning
/ɑɹt͡ʃ/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounAn inverted U shape.
nounAn arch-shaped arrangement of trapezoidal stones, designed to redistribute downward force outward.
Sentence Examples
Cats arch their backs.
The strangest thing is that he saved his arch enemy from an unavoidable death.
There is a huge arch over the road.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The massive stone ____ stood proudly over the entrance to the cathedral.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The parade marched through the huge stone ____ in the city center.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂erkʷ- Proto-Indo-European *h₂erkʷos Proto-Italic *arkuos Latin arcus Old French arc Old French archebor. Middle English arch English arch From Middle English arch, arche, from Old French arche (“an arch”), a feminine form of arc, from Latin arcus (“a bow, arc, arch”). Doublet of arc and arco. Displaced native Old English bīeġels and Old English hwealf.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"GBR will either be letting operating contracts or running rail companies directly, depending on which party wins the next General Election. Whichever it is, you can be forgiven for arching an eyebrow at an infrastructure company being placed in overall control."
— 2024 March 6, Philip Haigh, “Comment: Who will run our railways?”, in RAIL, number 1004, page 3:
"[He] spoke his request with so arch a leer."
— 1710 July 14 (Gregorian calendar), Isaac Bickerstaff [et al., pseudonyms; Richard Steele et al.], “Monday, July 4, 1710”, in The Tatler, number 193; republished in [Richard Steele], editor, The Tatler, […], London stereotype edition, volume III, London: I. Walker and Co.; […], 1822, →OCLC:
"I was every day furniſhing the Court with ſome ridiculous Story; and Glumdalclitch, although ſhe loved me to Exceſs, yet was arch enough to inform the Queen, whenever I committed any Folly that ſhe thought would be diverting to her Majeſty."
— 1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], “Several Adventures that Happened to the Author. […]”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. […] [Gulliver’s Travels], volume I, London: […] Benj[amin] Motte, […], →OCLC, part II (A Voyage to Brobdingnag), page 247:
"“Oh!” cried Mrs. Green, with an arch laugh, “you are acquainted with Monsieur Margot, then?”"
— 1828, [Edward Bulwer-Lytton], chapter XVI, in Pelham; or, The Adventures of a Gentleman. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 112:
"Blanche’s grey eyes gazed at Foker with such an arch twinkle that both of them burst out laughing […]"
— 1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter 46, in The History of Pendennis. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1849–1850, →OCLC:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The massive stone ____ stood proudly over the entrance to the cathedral.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The parade marched through the huge stone ____ in the city center.