archn.1
/ɑːtʃ/, U.S. /ɑrtʃ/ I. Something having a curved or arched shape: = Latin arcus.† 1. Any part of a curve; = arc n. 1, 2. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > curvature > types of curvature > [noun] > curve of shape of part of circle
archc1400
bow-line1551
arc1570
bow1594
circumference1656
c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) ii. §7. 21 (heading) The arch of the day..from the sonne arisyng til hit go to rest[e].
1551 R. Record Pathway to Knowl. i. Def. The compassed line..is called an arche lyne, or a bowe lyne.
1551 R. Record Pathway to Knowl. i. iv Draw an arch of a circle.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica 62 An Arch of the Horizon. View more context for this quotation
a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) i. vi. 119 The convex Superficies of the highest Arch of being.
1790 Wildbore in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 80 544 The arch-line of this sector.
1831 D. Brewster Treat. Optics x. 93 The arch of vibration was more rapidly diminished in the sun's light.
2. A curved structure of firm material, either capable of bearing weight or merely ornamental.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > arch > [noun]
arch1387
pend1454
pending1491
arcade1762
1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. I. 215 An arche of marbel..þe arche of Augustus Cesar his victories.
a1530 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Royal) viii. 3099 Ane arche off fayre werk and off fyne.
1551 R. Record Pathway to Knowl. i. x The arche of a brydge or of a house or window.
a1637 B. Jonson Under-woods xiii. 137 in Wks. (1640) III 'Tis the last Key-stone That makes the Arch... Then stands it a triumphall marke!
1751 J. Brown Ess. Characteristics 74 The very key-stone of this visionary arch, which he hath..thrown over the depths of error.
1818 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Canto IV xcii. 49 For this the conqueror rears The arch of triumph.
3.
a. transferred. Anything having the form of the curves or structures, described in senses 1 and 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > curvature > types of curvature > [noun] > like an arch or bow > thing of the form of an arch or bow
yokec1155
archa1592
arc1642
instep1681
water-bow1855
outspan1887
a1592 R. Greene Frier Bacon (1594) sig. F The circled arches of thy browes.
1676 J. Moxon Regulæ Trium Ordinum 7 The Arches upon the feet of Letter A is the Footing of that Letter.
a1719 J. Addison Dialogues Medals in Wks. (1721) I. ii. 504 His head is encompassed with..an arch of glory.
1854 Owen in Orr's Circle Sci. I. 168 The neural arch is formed by a pair of bones, called ‘neurapophyses’.
1881 Trans. Amer. Inst. Mining Engineers 1880–1 9 102 Arch..1. A portion of a lode left standing when the rest is extracted. 2. The roof of a reverberatory furnace.
b. esp. The rainbow.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > rainbow > [noun]
bowa1000
rainbowOE
heaven-bowc1390
iris1490
rainy bow1597
archa1616
bow of promise1820
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) iv. i. 71 The Queene o'th Skie, Whose watry Arch, and messenger, am I. View more context for this quotation
1728 J. Thomson Spring 14 Beholds th' amusive Arch before him fly.
1851 J. Ruskin Stones of Venice I. x. 123 God's arch, the arch of the rainbow.
4.
a. Curvature in the shape of an arch.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > curvature > types of curvature > [noun] > like an arch or bow
inbowing1452
archinga1821
arch1855
1855 Ld. Tennyson Maud xvi, in Maud & Other Poems 52 The delicate Arab arch of her feet.
1880 C. Darwin & F. Darwin Power of Movement in Plants 89 The fact of so many organs..being all arched whilst they break through the ground, shows..the importance of the arch to seedling plants.
b. Anatomy. One of the arches formed by the tarsal and metatarsal bones of the foot; fallen arch, one that has flattened. Also attributive, as arch support, a device worn in the shoe to provide support for the arch of the foot.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > structural parts > bone or bones > bones of hand or foot > bones of foot > [noun]
navicular?a1425
metatarsus?c1425
heel bone1516
astragalus?1541
bonket1552
cube-bone1615
die-bone1634
os calcis1634
foot bone1658
tarsus1676
pterna1684
talus1684
navicular bone1696
astragal1728
calcaneum1728
cuboid bone1829
cuboid1836
metatarsal1837
metapodium1844
tarso-metatarsal1851
arch1858
intermedium1878
tarsal1881
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of visible parts > [noun] > disorders of extremities > of the foot
foot evil1562
buniona1718
onion1785
Madura foot1855
fallen arch1858
claw-foot1862
foot-drop1886
tarsalgia1890
Morton's metatarsalgia1891
fallen instep1904
Madura disease1904
trench foot1915
maduromycosis1916
drop-foot1921
immersion foot1941
the world > health and disease > healing > medical appliances or equipment > surgical supports > [noun] > appliances for foot
toe-plate1894
heel brace1899
arch support1939
1858 G. M. Humphry Treat. Human Skeleton 492 The plantar arch. The foot is..made in the shape of an arch. The summit of the arch is at the top of the astragalus. The hinder limb of the arch is formed..by the os calcis; and the anterior limb is formed by the other tarsal and the metatarsal bones.
1858 G. M. Humphry Treat. Human Skeleton 495 The arch yields..at the joint between the astragalus and the navicular bone, the person becomes ‘flat-footed’.
1858 G. M. Humphry Treat. Human Skeleton 495 The well-formed foot presents other arches besides the one chief plantar arch which we have been considering.
1875 St. George's Hosp. Rep. 7 211 Cases in which the tarsal arch has given way, but has not been obliterated.
1939 M. Spring Rice Working-class Wives v. 109 She has had varicose veins..for which the doctor has advised elastic stockings and arch supports.
1945 B. Macdonald Egg & I (1947) i. 16 She toed out and had trouble with her arches.
5. An arched roof, a vault; figurative the heavens.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > roof > [noun] > types of roof generally
vaulta1387
plat-roofa1425
pend1454
faunsere1460
compassed roofa1552
terrace1572
sotie1578
crown1588
arch-roof1594
arch1609
under-roof1611
concameration1644
voltoa1660
hip roof1663
French roof1669
oversail1673
jerkinhead1703
mansard1704
curb-roof1733
shed roof1736
gable roof1759
gambrel roof1761
living roof1792
pent roof1794
span-roof1823
wagon-head1823
azotea1824
rafter roof1825
rooflet1825
wagon-vault1835
bell-roof1842
spire-roof1842
cradle-roof1845
packsaddle roof1845
open roof1847
umbrella roof1847
gambrel1848
packsaddle1848
compass-roof1849
saddleback1849
saddle roof1850
curbed roof1866
wagon-roof1866
saw-tooth roof1900
trough roof1905
skillion roof1911
north-light roof1923
shell roof1954
green roof1984
knee-roof-
the world > the supernatural > deity > heaven > [noun] > the heavens
heavenOE
heightOE
sky1557
arch1737
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iii. iii. 115 Who like an arch reuerb'rate The voice againe. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) i. vi. 34 Hath Nature giuen them eyes To see this vaulted Arch ? View more context for this quotation
1737 R. Glover Leonidas i. 149 The arch of heav'n resounded.
1813 W. Scott Bridal of Triermain iii. xvii. 154 While the deep arch with sullen roar Return'd their surly jar.
6. Court of Arches n. or briefly Arches: the ecclesiastical court of appeal for the province of Canterbury, formerly held at the church of St. Mary-le-Bow (or ‘of the Arches’), so named from the arches that supported its steeple.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > church government > ecclesiastical discipline > court > archbishop's court > [noun] > of Canterbury
Court of Arches1297
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. 415 Seyn Mary chyrche of þe arches.
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. iii. 61 Vokettus of þe Arches.
1583 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments (ed. 4) II. 1521/1 Cited to appeare in the Arches at Bow Church.
1768 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. III. 64 The court of arches..whereof the judge is called the dean of the arches.
1863 H. Cox Inst. Eng. Govt. ii. xi. 569.
7. Chiefly plural. Collectors' name for certain species of moths: see quots.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > Heterocera > [noun] > unspecified and miscellaneous types > unspecified
paper-moth1699
arch1766
moth1802
nun1832
runic1832
vulture-feather1832
wormwood1832
buff-tip1836
1766 M. Harris Aurelian 64 Red Arches. This Moth is generally taken by beating the boughs of the oak..the latter end of June.
1832 J. Rennie Conspectus Butterflies & Moths Brit. 169 The Rufous Arch (S[emasia] rufana, Stephens).
1869 E. Newman Illustr. Nat. Hist. Brit. Moths 407 The Gray Arches (Aplecta nebulosa)... The costal margin of the fore wings is very slightly arched, the margin very slightly scalloped.
1869 E. Newman Illustr. Nat. Hist. Brit. Moths 408 The Silvery Arches (Aplecta tincta)... The fore wings are slightly arched beyond the middle of the costal margin.
1921 Conquest Sept. 496/2 The Dark Arches (Xylophasia monoglypha).
II. Senses relating to archival storage: = Latin arca, Old French airche, arche.
8. Archives.
ΚΠ
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. ix. xlvi. 349 The civile law..was laid up..in their Arches [L. penetralibus].
1651 W. G. tr. J. Cowell Inst. Lawes Eng. 179 Enrolled in the Arches and Treasuries of the Court.
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
arch-moulding n.
ΚΠ
a1878 G. G. Scott Lect. Mediæval Archit. (1879) I. 127 The arch mouldings are filled with the most exquisite foliage.
arch-order n.
ΚΠ
a1878 G. G. Scott Lect. Mediæval Archit. (1879) I. 284 The tracery of a window is always viewed as an arch-order.
C2. archway n., archwise adv.
arch-board n. ‘the part of the stern over the counter, immediately under the knuckles of the stern-timbers’ (Adm. Smyth).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > parts of vessels > body of vessel > rear part of vessel > [noun] > part over counter
arch-board1883
1883 J. Kelly in Harper's Mag. Aug. 449/2 A fan-tail over~hang, which ends in a moulded arch-board.
arch-brick n.
arch-brow n. an arched brow.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > hair > eyebrow > [noun]
overbrowOE
breec1275
bryn1330
bent browc1380
superciliuma1398
brow1398
eyebrowa1450
winbrow?1473
beetle1532
eye-bree1543
bow1729
arch-brow1741
bush1859
1741 S. Richardson Pamela IV. xxxviii. 241 Your Ladyship's fine Arch-Brow.
Thesaurus »
Categories »
arch-buttress n. = arc-boutant n.
arch-head n. a curved head or terminal piece.
ΚΠ
1761 K. Fitzgerald in Philos. Trans. 1760 (Royal Soc.) 51 827 The arch-head of the lever.
arch-roof n. a vaulted roof.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > roof > [noun] > types of roof generally
vaulta1387
plat-roofa1425
pend1454
faunsere1460
compassed roofa1552
terrace1572
sotie1578
crown1588
arch-roof1594
arch1609
under-roof1611
concameration1644
voltoa1660
hip roof1663
French roof1669
oversail1673
jerkinhead1703
mansard1704
curb-roof1733
shed roof1736
gable roof1759
gambrel roof1761
living roof1792
pent roof1794
span-roof1823
wagon-head1823
azotea1824
rafter roof1825
rooflet1825
wagon-vault1835
bell-roof1842
spire-roof1842
cradle-roof1845
packsaddle roof1845
open roof1847
umbrella roof1847
gambrel1848
packsaddle1848
compass-roof1849
saddleback1849
saddle roof1850
curbed roof1866
wagon-roof1866
saw-tooth roof1900
trough roof1905
skillion roof1911
north-light roof1923
shell roof1954
green roof1984
knee-roof-
1594 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. II. 150 A Vault or arch-roofe set vpon three pillers.
arch-stone n. U.S. a wedge-shaped brick or stone used in the construction of arches. Arch-stone State, the ‘Keystone State’, Pennsylvania.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > arch > [noun] > parts of
coin1350
pendant1359
voussoir1359
springer1435
spandrel1477
spring?1553
pitch1615
kneeler1617
gimmalsa1652
face1664
of the third point1672
turn1677
sweep1685
hance1700
skew-back1700
summering1700
springing1703
tympan1704
hip1726
reins1726
rib1726
third point1728
quoin1730
archivolt1731
opening1739
soffit1739
shoulder1744
extrados1772
intrados1772
haunch1793
arch-stone1828
twist1840
coign1843
architrave1849
escoinçon1867
pulvino1907
pin1928
society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > stone or rock > [noun] > building stone > stone for other specific building use > piece of
pendant1474
vault-stone1480
table stone1554
course-stone1610
rustic1797
arch-stone1828
courser1885
1828 O. Gregory Hutton's Course Math. (ed. 9) II. 138 The voussoirs or arch-stones..have their faces always perpendicular to the respective points of the curve upon which they stand.
1840 Congr. Globe 25 Jan. 263 In this severance and sectioning, what would Pennsylvania, that ‘arch-stone’ State, say?
archways adv. = archwise adv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > curvature > types of curvature > [adverb] > like an arch or bow
bow-wise1398
archwise1577
yokewise1577
archways1799
arcuately1850
1799 J. Robertson Gen. View Agric. Perth 272 The sods..should be laid down archways.
arch-work n. structure consisting of arches.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > arch > [noun] > structure consisting of arches
arching1603
arch-work1610
oversiling1632
arcade1795
arcading1849
wall-arcade1860
wall-arcading1863
pier arcadea1878
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 333 A verie goodly stone bridge of arch-worke.
Derivatives
arch-like adj.
ΚΠ
1744 E. Young Complaint: Night the Seventh 61 An Arch-like, strong Foundation.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
archadj.n.2
/ɑːtʃ/, U.S. /ɑrtʃ/ A. adj.
1. Chief, principal, prime, pre-eminent. (Now rarely used without the hyphen.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > pre-eminence > [adjective]
firsteOE
headOE
highOE
greatc1350
upperestc1374
chief1377
singular1377
principala1382
royalc1425
cardinal1440
pre-eminenta1460
praisea1475
main1480
maina1525
primary1565
captain1566
arch1574
mistressa1586
capital1597
topless1609
primea1616
metropolitan1635
transeminent1660
whole1675
uppermost1680
primus inter pares1688
topping1694
Sudder1787
par excellence1839
banner1840
primatial1892
the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adjective] > first or prior to all others
formec888
eldestc897
firstlOE
originalc1350
foremosta1400
furthermost?a1400
primary?a1425
primatea1425
primea1500
arch1574
soon1591
origin1632
utter1634
premier1652
aboriginary1653
furthest1653
fontal1656
principial1699
première1768
protological1936
first-ever1955
1574 tr. Life 70. Archbishopp Canterbury Pref. D viij b The fauour off any thoughe neuer so arch a Prelate.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III iv. iii. 2 The most arch-act of pitteous massacre. View more context for this quotation
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII iii. ii. 103 An Heretique, an Arch -one. View more context for this quotation
1647 N. Ward Simple Cobler Aggawam 78 We cannot helpe it though we can, which is the Arch infirmity in all morality.
1649 W. Prynne Legall Vindic. Liberties Eng. 45 And proclaim them the Archest Impostors under Heaven.
1684 [see sense A. 2a]. 1834 E. Bulwer-Lytton Last Days of Pompeii II. iii. x. 158 Thou mayest have need of thy archest magic to protect thyself.
2. † b. Const. at, upon. Obsolete.
a. [Arising from preceding sense, in connection with wag, knave, rogue, hence with fellow, face, look, reply, etc.] Clever, cunning, crafty, roguish, waggish. Now usually of women and children, and esp. of their facial expression: Slyly saucy, pleasantly mischievous.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > causing laughter > mischievous or practical joking > [adjective] > mischievously joking
waggish1600
roguish1603
pawky?a1640
roguey1664
arch1684
slya1771
natkhat1843
wagsome1868
1684 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 2nd Pt. ii. 147 Greath. Above all that Christian met..By-ends was the arch one. Hon. By-ends; What was he? Greath. A very arch Fellow, a downright Hypocrite.
1710 Tatler No. 193. ⁋1 So arch a leer.
1712 tr. H. More Scholia Antidote Atheism 151 in H. More Coll. Philos. Writings (ed. 4) That arch Wag..ridiculed that solid argument.
1775 J. Wesley Wks. (1872) IV. 41 Some arch boys gave him such a mouthful of dirt.
1810 G. Crabbe Borough xv. 203 Arch was her Look, and she had pleasant ways.
1849 M. Arnold Strayed Reveller, & Other Poems 61 The archest chin Mockery ever ambush'd in.
1872 W. Black Strange Adventures Phaeton xxiii. 324 Her arch ways, and her frank bearing.
ΚΠ
1670 J. Eachard Grounds Contempt of Clergy 4 Lads that are arch knaves at the Nominative Case.
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 432. ⁋5 A Templar, who was very arch upon Parsons.
1740 S. Richardson Pamela II. 93 Sir Simon..you are very arch upon us.
A chief (one). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > pre-eminence > [noun] > chief of its or his kind
sunOE
lordOE
princec1225
primatec1384
princessc1390
giant1535
queen1554
first gentleman1584
Prester John1598
arch1605
gigant1610
principate1651
top-stone1659
first lady1677
Shakespeare1821
king1829
prius1882
aristocrat1883
Sun King1971
1605 T. Heywood If you know not Me in Wks. (1874) 239 Poole that Arch, for truth and honesty.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear vi. 58 The noble Duke my maister, my worthy Arch and Patron. View more context for this quotation
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
archv.1
/ɑːtʃ/, U.S. /ɑrtʃ/ 1. To furnish with an arch or vault.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > arch > [verb (transitive)] > furnish with arch
enarchc1430
arch1463
1463 in S. Tymms Wills & Inventories Bury St. Edmunds (1850) 37 That the Rysbygate [be]..archyd and enbatelyd.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 435/2 I arche a buyldyng with arches, Je arche.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy v. 1577 By the sydes..the strete was archet full abilly.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica 72 Dinocrates began to Arche the Temple..with Load stone. View more context for this quotation
1695 R. Blackmore Prince Arthur iv. 95 And Arch'd the Chambers of the Vaulted Sky.
1881 Daily News 28 Sept. 5/4 The gateway..was arched with black.
2. To form into an arch or vault, to curve.
a. transitive and reflexive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > curvature > types of curvature > [verb (transitive)] > curve like arch or bow
benda1382
embowc1540
arch1625
the world > space > shape > curvature > types of curvature > [verb (reflexive)] > arch
crown1761
arch1858
1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) xlvi. 275 Fine Deuices, of Arching Water without Spilling.
1713 E. Budgell in Guardian 23 Mar. 2/1 He may arch his Eye-brows.
1858 C. Kingsley Lett. I. 21 It arched itself into one vast dome of red-hot iron.
1875 F. T. Buckland Log-bk. Fisherman 77 Arched like the back of a frightened Cat.
b. absol. and intransitive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > curvature > types of curvature > [verb (intransitive)] > be or become like arch or bow
arch1733
outspan1867
1733 A. Pope Ess. Man iii. 102 Build on the Wave, or Arch beneath the Sand.
1818 J. Keats Endymion iii. 115 His snow-white brows Went arching up.
1871 B. Taylor tr. J. W. von Goethe Faust I. xvi. 192 Arches not there the sky above us?
3. with over. (In preceding senses and const.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > curvature > types of curvature > [verb (transitive)] > curve like arch or bow > over something
overvaulta1610
enarch1611
arch1626
overarch1667
circumflex1850
overbow1855
inarch1893
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §202 The sound..archeth over the wall.
1693 R. Bentley Boyle Lect. iii. 24 Arched over with an exterior Crust..of Earth.
1797 W. Taylor in Monthly Rev. 22 282 Hope arches her glistering rainbow over every scene of storm.
1849 F. W. Robertson Serm. (1866) 1st Ser. xv. 256 Because the Infinite above is arching over the soul.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > [verb (transitive)] > join in mutual support
arch1581
1581 [implied in: J. Lyly Euphues (1636) D ij Arched bands of amity. (at arched adj. 2)].
1647 N. Bacon Hist. Disc. Govt. xliii. 112 The Saxon Commonweale was a building..arched together both for peace and warre.
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. ix. 227 Mutually arching up one another.
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Suff. 63 How the Sates-men [sic] in that Age were arched together in affinity.
5. transitive. To overarch; to span.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > extend [verb (transitive)] > extend over or across > from either side
flekec1330
span1633
bestride1728
bridge1787
arch1796
straddle1890
1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc ii. 21 The vine that arch'd His evening seat.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps ii. §4. 249 The blue blocks that arch the source of the Arveiron.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
archv.2
/ɑːtʃ/, U.S. /ɑrtʃ/ intransitive. To practise archery.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > competitive shooting > archery > practise archery [verb (intransitive)]
arch1871
1871 W. Cory Let. 25 Aug. in Extr. Lett. & Jrnls. (1897) 275 We arch—we don't often hit the target..but we know how to bend a bow.
Derivatives
ˈarching n. and adj.
ΚΠ
1647 A. Ross Mystagogvs Poeticvs i. 22 Apollo was the god of Wisdome, of Physick, of Musick, and Arching.
1950 C. Fry Venus Observed 39 All the arching duchesses.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1972; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
> see also
also refers to : arch-prefix
also refers to : -archcomb. form1
also refers to : -archcomb. form2
<
n.11297
adj.n.21574
v.11463v.21647see also