Definition of arc
1 : the apparent path described above and below the horizon by a celestial body (such as the sun)
2a : something arched or curvedb : a curved path the arc of a fly ball
3 : a sustained luminous discharge of electricity across a gap in a circuit or between electrodes; also : arc lamp
4 : a continuous portion (as of a circle or ellipse) of a curved line
5 : degree measurement on the circumference of a circle —used especially in the phrase of arc 11 minutes 3 seconds of arc
6 : a continuous progression or line of development a story's dramatic arc
Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd
Examples of arc in a Sentence
He bent the twig into an arc.
The ball floated in a high arc.
Origin and Etymology of arc
Middle English ark, from Anglo-French arc bow, from Latin arcus bow, arch, arc — more at arrow
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Electrical Engineering Terms
Examples of arc in a Sentence
The arrow arced through the air.
A light arced across the sky.
The island chain arcs from north to south.
Origin and Etymology of arc
see 1arc
First Known Use: 1883
Other Electrical Engineering Terms
arc
Definition of arc
mathematics
: inverse 2 —used with the trigonometric functions and hyperbolic functions
Origin and Etymology of arc
arc sine arc or angle (corresponding to the) sine (of so many degrees)
First Known Use: circa 1949
ARC
Definition of ARC
1 AIDS-related complex
2 American Red Cross
ARC Defined for English Language Learners
arc
playDefinition of arc for English Language Learners
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: a line or shape that is curved like part of a circle
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: a brightly glowing electric current that flows across an open space between two points (such as two electrodes)
arc
Definition of arc for English Language Learners
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: to move or lie in a curving path : to follow an arc-shaped course
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: to form an electric arc
ARC Defined for Kids
Definition of arc for Students
1 : a glowing light across a gap in an electric circuit or between electrodes
2 : a part of a curved line between any two points on it
Definition of arc for Students
arced
\ˈärkt\;arcing
\ˈär-kiŋ\1 : to form an electric arc
2 : to follow a curved course A missile arced across the sky.
Medical Dictionary
arc
playMedical Definition of arc
1: an arched or curved anatomical part, distance, or pathway—see reflex arc
2: a sustained luminous discharge of electricity across a gap in a circuit or between electrodes
ARC
Medical Definition of ARC
1AIDS-related complex
2American Red Cross
Learn More about arc
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See words that rhyme with arc Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for arc Spanish Central: Translation of arc Nglish: Translation of arc for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of arc for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about arc
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