Meaning of arch In English

• 0 a structure, consisting of a curved top on two supports, that holds the weight of something above it:

  • In many churches the side aisles are separated from the central aisle by a row of arches.

  • Passing through the arch, you enter an open courtyard.

  • The vines were trained over an arch, providing shade as well as fruit.

  • The temple's grand white arches rose conspicuously over the dirty decaying city.

  • The abbey is known for its majestic arches, fine doorways and elegant windows.

  • The town is dominated by the massive arches of a viaduct.

• 1 something that has the shape of an arch, often used for decoration:

  • The boat floated through the arch of the trees towards the bridge.

• 2 the raised curve on the bottom of your foot:

  • She has very high arches.

• 3 any organ or part of the body that is curved in shape:

  • The premature loss of primary teeth causes shrinking of the dental arch.

• 4 to make the shape of an arch:

  • Trees arch over the river.

  • Her eyebrows arched in contempt.

  • She watched the cat arch its back.

• 5 showing that you think it is amusing that you know more about something than someone else does:

  • an arch tone of voice

• 6 most important:

  • an archbishop

  • an archduke

• 7 greater or especially worse than others of the same type:

  • an arch-criminal

  • his arch-enemy

  • He's always been an arch-opponent of the project.

• 8 a structure consisting of a curved top on two supports which holds the weight of something above it, or something decorative that has this shape:

  • Two rows of arches support the roof of the building.