Arch

-arch (&?;). [Gr. 'archo`s chief, commander, 'a`rchein to rule. See Arch, a.]

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

Arch , n. [See Arch-, pref.]

A chief. [Obs.]

My worthy arch and patron comes to-night.
Shak.

Arch (ärch), a. [See Arch-, pref.]

1. Chief; eminent; greatest; principal.

The most arch act of piteous massacre.
Shak.

2. Cunning or sly; sportively mischievous; roguish; as, an arch look, word, lad.

[He] spoke his request with so arch a leer.
Tatler.

Arch- (ärch-, except in archangel and one or two other words). [L. arch-, Gr. &?;. See Arch-.]

A prefix signifying chief, as in archbuilder, archfiend.

Arch , v. i. To form into an arch; to curve.

Arch , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Arched (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Arching.]

1. To cover with an arch or arches.

2. To form or bend into the shape of an arch.

The horse arched his neck.
Charlesworth.

Arch (&?;), n. [F. arche, fr. LL. arca, for arcus. See Arc.]

1. (Geom.) Any part of a curved line.

2. (Arch.) (a) 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. (b) 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.

&fist; Scientifically considered, the arch is a means of spanning an opening by resolving vertical pressure into horizontal or diagonal thrust.

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

4. 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.