arch
    adj 1: (used of behavior or attitude) characteristic of those
           who treat others with condescension [syn: arch,
           condescending, patronizing, patronising]
    2: expert in skulduggery; "an arch criminal"
    3: naughtily or annoyingly playful; "teasing and worrying with
       impish laughter"; "a wicked prank" [syn: arch, impish,
       implike, mischievous, pixilated, prankish, puckish,
       wicked]
    n 1: a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
    2: a curved bony structure supporting or enclosing organs
       (especially the inner sides of the feet)
    3: a passageway under a curved masonry construction; "they built
       a triumphal arch to memorialize their victory" [syn: arch,
       archway]
    4: (architecture) a masonry construction (usually curved) for
       spanning an opening and supporting the weight above it
    v 1: form an arch or curve; "her back arches"; "her hips curve
         nicely" [syn: arch, curve, arc]

Arch \Arch\, n. [See Arch-, pref.]
   A chief. [Obs.]
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         My worthy arch and patron comes to-night. --Shak.
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-arch \-arch\ [Gr. 'archo`s chief, commander, 'a`rchein to rule.
   See Arch, a.]
   A suffix meaning a ruler, as in monarch (a sole ruler).
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Arch \Arch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Arched ([aum]rcht); p. pr. &
   vb. n. Arching.]
   1. To cover with an arch or arches.
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   2. To form or bend into the shape of an arch.
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            The horse arched his neck.            --Charlesworth.
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Arch \Arch\, v. i.
   To form into an arch; to curve.
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Arch \Arch\ ([aum]rch), n. [F. arche, fr. LL. arca, for arcus.
   See Arc.]
   1. (Geom.) Any part of a curved line.
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   2. (Arch.)
      (a) Usually a curved member made up of separate
          wedge-shaped solids, with the joints between them
          disposed in the direction of the radii of the curve;
          used to support the wall or other weight above an
          opening. In this sense arches are segmental, round (i.
          e., semicircular), or pointed.
      (b) A flat arch is a member constructed of stones cut into
          wedges or other shapes so as to support each other
          without rising in a curve.
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   Note: Scientifically considered, the arch is a means of
         spanning an opening by resolving vertical pressure into
         horizontal or diagonal thrust.
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   3. Any place covered by an arch; an archway; as, to pass into
      the arch of a bridge.
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   4. Any curvature in the form of an arch; as, the arch of the
      aorta. "Colors of the showery arch." --Milton.
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   Triumphal arch, a monumental structure resembling an arched
      gateway, with one or more passages, erected to commemorate
      a triumph.
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Arch- \Arch-\ ([aum]rch-, except in archangel and one or two
   other words). [L. arch-, Gr. 'arch- = 'archi-. See Arch-.]
   A prefix signifying chief, as in archbuilder, archfiend.
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Arch \Arch\ ([aum]rch), a. [See Arch-, pref.]
   1. Chief; eminent; greatest; principal.
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            The most arch act of piteous massacre. --Shak.
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   2. Cunning or sly; sportively mischievous; roguish; as, an
      arch look, word, lad.
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            [He] spoke his request with so arch a leer.
                                                  --Tatler.
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Arch
   an architectural term found only in Ezek. 40:16, 21, 22, 26, 29.
   There is no absolute proof that the Israelites employed arches
   in their buildings. The arch was employed in the building of the
   pyramids of Egypt. The oldest existing arch is at Thebes, and
   bears the date B.C. 1350. There are also still found the remains
   of an arch, known as Robinson's Arch, of the bridge connecting
   Zion and Moriah. (See TYROPOEON VALLEY.)