arch
/ɑɹt͡ʃ/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.02 in modern English
9
Scrabble Score
4
Letters
1
Syllables
4
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
An arch-shaped arrangement of trapezoidal stones, designed to redistribute downward force outward.
noun
An architectural element having the shape of an arch
noun
The curved part of the bottom of a foot.
Example Sentences
- "to pass into the arch of a bridge"
- "The cat arched its back."
- "GBR will either be letting operating contracts or running rail companies directly, depending on which party wins the next General Election. Whichever it is, you can be forgiven for arching an eyebrow at an infrastructure company being placed in overall control."
- "I attempted to hide my emotions, but an arch remark escaped my lips."
- "[He] spoke his request with so arch a leer."
- "I was every day furniſhing the Court with ſome ridiculous Story; and Glumdalclitch, although ſhe loved me to Exceſs, yet was arch enough to inform the Queen, whenever I committed any Folly that ſhe thought would be diverting to her Majeſty."
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂erkʷ- Proto-Indo-European *h₂erkʷos Proto-Italic *arkuos Latin arcus Old French arc Old French archebor. Middle English arch English arch From Middle English arch, arche, from Old French arche (“an arch”), a feminine form of arc, from Latin arcus (“a bow, arc, arch”). Doublet of arc and arco. Displaced native Old English bīeġels and Old English hwealf.
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ɑɹt͡ʃ/
- British English: /ɑːt͡ʃ/