ARCH

Any part of a curved line.

Usually a curved member made up of separate wedge-shaped solids, with the joints between them disposed in the direction of the radii of the curve; used to support the wall or other weight above an opening. In this sense arches are segmental, round (i. e., semicircular), or pointed.

A flat arch is a member constructed of stones cut into wedges or other shapes so as to support each other without rising in a curve.

Any place covered by an arch; an archway; as, to pass into the arch of a bridge.

Any curvature in the form of an arch; as, the arch of the aorta. "Colors of the showery arch." Milton. Triumphal arch, a monumental structure resembling an arched gateway, with one or more passages, erected to commemorate a triumph.

To cover with an arch or arches.

To form or bend into the shape of an arch. The horse arched his neck. Charlesworth.

To form into an arch; to curve.

Chief; eminent; greatest; principal. The most arch act of piteous massacre. Shak.

Cunning or sly; sportively mischievous; roguish; as, an arch look, word, lad. [He] spoke his request with so arch a leer. Tatler.

A chief. [Obs.] My worthy arch and patron comes to-night. Shak.

A suffix meaning a ruler, as in monarch (a sole ruler).

A suffix meaning a ruler, as in monarch (a sole ruler).