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ii 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 wedge-shaped brick used in the building of an arch.

A wedge-shaped stone used in an arch; a voussoir.

A prefix signifying chief, as in archbuilder, archfiend.

Ancient; pertaining to the earliest period in geological history.

A description of, or a treatise on, antiquity or antiquities.

Of or pertaining to the earliest Stone age; -- applied to a prehistoric period preceding the Paleolithic age.

An archæologist.

Relating to archæology, or antiquities; as, archæological researches. -- Ar`*chæ*o*log"ic*al*ly, adv.

One versed in archæology; an antiquary. Wright.

The science or study of antiquities, esp. prehistoric antiquities, such as the remains of buildings or monuments of an early epoch, inscriptions, implements, and other relics, written manuscripts, etc.

A fossil bird, of the Jurassic period, remarkable for having a long tapering tail of many vertebræ with feathers along each side, and jaws armed with teeth, with other reptilian characteristics.

Applied to a gastrula when the blastorope does not entirely up.

Like or belonging to the earliest forms of animal life.

Of or characterized by antiquity or archaism; antiquated; obsolescent.

Archaic. [R.] -- Ar*cha"ic*al*ly, adv.

Antiquity of style or use; obsoleteness. A select vocabulary corresponding (in point of archaism and remoteness from ordinary use) to our Scriptural vocabulary. De Quincey.

One who uses archaisms.

Like, or imitative of, anything archaic; pertaining to an archaism.

To make appear archaic or antique. Mahaffy.