arch \arch\, n. see arch-, pref.
   a chief. obs.
   1913 webster

         my worthy arch and patron comes to-night. --shak.
   1913 webster
see also:
arch- 

-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.
   1913 webster
see also:
arch 

arch \arch\, v. t. imp.  p. p. arched aumrcht; p. pr. 
   vb. n. arching.
   1. to cover with an arch or arches.
      1913 webster

   2. to form or bend into the shape of an arch.
      1913 webster

            the horse arched his neck.            --charlesworth.
      1913 webster
see also:
arched arching 

arch \arch\, v. i.
   to form into an arch; to curve.
   1913 webster

arch \arch\ aumrch, n. f. arche, fr. ll. arca, for arcus.
   see arc.
   1. geom. any part of a curved line.
      1913 webster

   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.
          1913 webster

   note: scientifically considered, the arch is a means of
         spanning an opening by resolving vertical pressure into
         horizontal or diagonal thrust.
         1913 webster

   3. any place covered by an arch; an archway; as, to pass into
      the arch of a bridge.
      1913 webster

   4. any curvature in the form of an arch; as, the arch of the
      aorta. "colors of the showery arch." --milton.
      1913 webster

   triumphal arch, a monumental structure resembling an arched
      gateway, with one or more passages, erected to commemorate
      a triumph.
      1913 webster
see also:
arc triumphal arch 

arch- \arch-\ aumrch-, except in archangel and one or two
   other words. l. arch-, gr. 'arch- = 'archi-. see arch-.
   a prefix signifying chief, as in archbuilder, archfiend.
   1913 webster
see also:
arch- 

arch \arch\ aumrch, a. see arch-, pref.
   1. chief; eminent; greatest; principal.
      1913 webster

            the most arch act of piteous massacre. --shak.
      1913 webster

   2. cunning or sly; sportively mischievous; roguish; as, an
      arch look, word, lad.
      1913 webster

            he spoke his request with so arch a leer.
                                                  --tatler.
      1913 webster
see also:
arch- 

arch
     adj 1: of persons highest in rank or authority or office; "his
            arch rival" syn: archa
     2: used of behavior or attitude characteristic of those who
        treat others with condescension syn: condescending, patronizing,
         patronising
     3: expert in skulduggery; "an arch criminal" syn: archa
     n 1: a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
     2: a curved bony structure supporting or enclosing organs
        especially arches of the feet
     3: a passageway under an arch syn: archway
     4: architecture a masonry construction usually curved for
        spanning an opening and supporting the weight above it
     v : form an arch or curve; "her back arches"; "her hips curve
         nicely" syn: curve, arc
see also:
archa condescending patronizing patronising archway curve 
arc 

280 moby thesaurus words for "arch":
   machiavellian, machiavellic, acute, apse, arc, arcade, arcature,
   arch over, arched roof, archway, artful, astute, banner, bantam,
   barrow, basket-handle arch, bend, bend back, bestraddle, bestride,
   bold, boundary stone, bow, brass, bridge, bust, cagey, cairn,
   camber, canny, capital, cardinal, ceilinged roof, cenotaph,
   central, champion, cheeky, chief, clever, clubfoot, cocky, column,
   concameration, concha, conspicuous, consummate, coquettish, cove,
   coy, crafty, cromlech, crook, cross, crowning, cunning, cup,
   cupola, curl, curvation, curvature, curve, cute, cyclolith,
   deceitful, decurve, deep, deep-laid, deflect, derisive, designing,
   devilish, digit, diplomatic, dog, dolmen, dome, dominant, elfish,
   elvish, embow, extend over, extraordinary, extreme, extremity,
   feline, fetlock, first, flex, flippant, focal, foolish, foot,
   footstone, forefoot, foremost, forepaw, foxy, fresh,
   full of mischief, geodesic dome, grave, gravestone, great,
   greatest, guileful, hang over, harefoot, head, headmost, headstone,
   heel, hegemonic, high-spirited, hoarstone, hoof, hook, hump, hunch,
   igloo, imbricate, impish, incurvate, incurve, inflect, ingenious,
   inscription, insidious, instep, inventive, jut, keystone, knavish,
   knowing, lap, lap over, leading, lie over, loop, magisterial, main,
   major, malapert, marker, master, mausoleum, megalith, memento,
   memorial, memorial arch, memorial column, memorial statue,
   memorial stone, menhir, mischief-loving, mischievous, mocking,
   monolith, monument, mound, necrology, notable, noteworthy, obelisk,
   obituary, ogive, overarch, overhang, overlap, overlie, override,
   overruling, pad, paramount, pastern, patte, paw, pawky,
   pedal extremity, pedes, pert, pes, pied, pillar, plaque, playful,
   politic, prankish, pranksome, pranky, predominant, preeminent,
   premier, preponderant, prevailing, primal, primary, prime,
   principal, prize, puckish, pug, pyramid, ranking, ready, recurve,
   reflect, reflex, reliquary, remembrance, resourceful, retroflex,
   ribbon, roguish, rostral column, round, ruling, sag, saucy,
   scampish, scapegrace, scheming, serpentine, shaft, sharp, shifty,
   shingle, shrewd, shrine, skewback, slick, slippery, sly, smooth,
   snaky, sneaky, sole, sophistical, sovereign, span, splayfoot,
   sportive, star, stealthy, stela, stellar, stone, strategic, stupa,
   subtile, subtle, supereminent, supple, swag, sweep, tablet,
   tactical, testimonial, toe, tomb, tombstone, tootsy, tope,
   topflight, trefoil arch, trickish, tricksy, tricky, trophy,
   trotter, turn, twitting, ungula, vault, vaulting, voussoir,
   vulpine, waggish, wary, wily, wind

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.
   
see also:
valley