Main Entry:

¹arch

Pronunciation:

\ˈärch\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English arche, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *arca, from Latin arcus — more at arrow

Date:

14th century

1: a typically curved structural member spanning an opening and serving as a support (as for the wall or other weight above the opening)2 a: something resembling an arch in form or function ; especially : either of two vaulted portions of the bony structure of the foot that impart elasticity to it b: a curvature having the form of an arch3: archway

[arch illustration]