Arch | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Ärch, n.

noun

n. [Fr. arche, fr. L. Lat. arca, for arcus. See Arc.]

(Geom.) Any part of a circle or other curve; an arc. Hutton.
(Arch.) A construction of blocks of wood, stone, &c., disposed in the line of a curve, supporting each other by their mutual pressure, and supported at the two ends; as, the arch of a bridge.

K, keystone; S S, springers; C, chord, or span of arch; I I, impost, or platband; C C, columns.

Any place covered by an arch; as, to pass into the arch of a bridge.
Any curvature in the form of an arch; as, the arch of the aorta. Dunglison.

A sapphire throne, inlaid with pure Amber, and colors of the flowery arch. Milton. Triumphal arches, magnificent structures erected to adorn a triumph, and perpetuate the memory of the event.

Ărch, v. t.

verbtransitive

[imp. & p. p. ARCHED; p. pr. & vb. n. ARCHING.] 1. To cover with an arch; as, to arch a gate. 2. To form or bend into the shape of an arch. “The horse arched his neck.” Charlesworth.

Ărch, a.

adjective

a. [Properly chief, eminent, viz., in art and roguery; from the following.] Cunning or sly; shrewd; waggish; mischievous in sport; roguish; as, an arch look, an arch lad. Johnson. [He] spoke his request with so arch a leer. Tatler.

Arch, a.

adjective

(68), a. [From Gr. prefix ἀρχι-, which is from the same root as ἄρχειν, to be first, to begin; ἀρχή, the first place, beginning; ἀρχός, chief; Lat. archi, L. Lat. arci, A. S. arce, ἄρχε, O. H. Ger. erzî, M. H. Ger. erzê, erz, H. Ger. erzî.] Chief; of the first class; principal. “An arch deed of piteous massacre.” Shak.

☞ Much used as a prefix in many compounded words, most of which are self-explaining; as, arch-apostle, arch-builder, arch-conspirator, &c.

Ärch, n.

noun

n. [Gr. ἀρχός.] A chief. [Obs.] “My worthy arch and patron.” Shak. Poole, that arch for truth and honesty. Heywood.