arch

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++

Related topics: Architecture, Human, Shapes, patterns

ldoce_008_aarch1 /ɑːtʃ $ ɑːrtʃ/ ●●○ noun [countable]  1. AAa structure with a curved top and straight sides that supports the weight of a bridge or building 拱〔支撑桥梁或建筑物的弧形结构〕 →5  See picture of ARCH 拱 →4  See picture of 见图 arch2. AAa curved structure above a door, window etc 〔门、窗上的〕拱3. HBHa curved structure of bones in the middle of your foot 足弓，足背4. CFsomething with a curved top and straight sides 弓状物；拱形物

Examples from the Corpus

arch• It also has a horseshoe arch entrance to the sanctuary, but its decoration is poorer than that at S. Juan.• Sculptures of angels dance among the soaring arches that form the ceiling of the mission.• More thick dry stone arches connect the two ruins and lead the eye into a singular landscape.• Graffiti covered the arch at the base of Fifth Avenue.• Repeat for the other side of the arch.• The arch is a beacon for folks heading West.• It was built as a triumphal arch for King Matthias in 1614.arch2 verb [intransitive, transitive]  BENDto form or make something form a curved shape （使）拱起，（使）成拱形 Two rows of trees arched over the driveway. 车道两旁树木交错，形成一个拱顶。 The dog arched its back. 那条狗弓起了背。→ See Verb table

Examples from the Corpus

arch• The bar extends along the left wall with a stuffed marlin arched above it that I suspect was never really alive.• Thick white branches arch as far out as the tree is tall, sometimes at seemingly impossible angles.• The dog arched its back and showed its teeth.• Rachel daintily arched one eyebrow as if I had mentioned inviting her servants to some feast or revelry.• The private swans arch out their feathers and preen and nourish themselves.• They arch out to a five-foot width, then narrow quickly toward the bow and stern.• Strings of spittle hanging from pointed teeth to lower lip reflected moonshine as the cadaverous head arched skywards.arch3 adjective  FUNNYamused because you think you understand something better than other people 淘气的；调皮的 ‘I think he’s in for a surprise, ’ Ian said, in a somewhat arch tone. “我想他很快就会感到惊讶的。”伊恩略带调侃地说道。 —archly adverb

Examples from the Corpus

arch• His soulless eyes are narrowed and sullen, and his arch goatee recalls an amoral Transylvanian count.• He was right, in the arch sense that he meant it, as a means of chiding overanxious environmentalists.• an arch tonearch- /ɑːtʃ, ɑːk $ ɑːrtʃ, ɑːrk/ prefix  XXbelonging to the highest class or rank 最高等级的；主要的 an archbishop (=an important bishop) 大主教 our archenemy (=our worst enemy) 我们的头号敌人 the company’s arch-rivals (=main competitors) 公司的主要竞争对手

Examples from the Corpus

arch-• the company's archrivalsOrigin arch- Old French Latin arch-, archi-, from Greek, from archein “to begin, rule” arch1 (1200-1300) Old French arche, from Latin arcus; → ARC arch3 (1500-1600) arch- in such combinations as arch-rogue and arch-villain

arch1 nounarch2 verbarch3 adjectivearch- prefixChinese  

sides straight that a structure curved Corpus and top with a

arch

I

arch¹ /ɑːtʃ $ ɑːrtʃ/ noun [countable]
1. a structure with a curved top and straight sides that supports the weight of a bridge or building
2. a curved structure above a door, window etc
3. a curved structure of bones in the middle of your foot
4. something with a curved top and straight sides

II

arch² verb [intransitive and transitive]
to form or make something form a curved shape:
    Two rows of trees arched over the driveway.
    The dog arched its back.

III

arch³ adjectiveamused because you think you understand something better than other people:
    ‘I think he’s in for a surprise,’ Ian said, in a somewhat arch tone.
—archly adverb