arch
/ɑːtʃ/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈɑrtʃ] /ɑːrtʃ/ (ame, ipa) · [ˈɑrtʃ] /ˈärch/ (ame, mw)
arch — noun
- archsingular
- archesplural
1. an overhead building element with a curved shape, set above a doorway or gap to
an overhead building element with a curved shape, set above a doorway or gap to carry the load from the wall or roof above it
The old Roman arch in the town square still stands strong after the earthquake.
stone arch / stands strong — physical support
Visitors walked through a beautiful arch covered with climbing roses.
The bridge has three arches that support the road above the river.
A white marble arch marks the entrance to the war memorial park.
Tourists stood beneath the arch of the castle gate while rain poured outside.
2. a line or outline whose arc mirrors the curve of an arched doorway, seen in orna
a line or outline whose arc mirrors the curve of an arched doorway, seen in ornamentation and nature
The branches formed a natural arch over the garden path.
natural arch — organic curved shape
With both hands on her hips, Ingrid's arms formed a gentle arch on each side.
The garden path was lined with wooden arches covered in climbing roses.
The rainbow formed a perfect arch across the sky after the storm.
Liang carefully drew a wide arch on the paper with a pencil.
用法筆記
This sense describes anything with an arch-like curve. Distinguish from sense 1 (CURVED STRUCTURE), which refers specifically to a weight-bearing building element.
3. the slightly inward-curving section on the underside of each foot between the ba
the slightly inward-curving section on the underside of each foot between the ball and the heel, which gives spring and flexibility when walking or running
Padma's new running shoes give good support to her arches.
arch support — shoes that cushion the foot curve
After walking through the night market, Antonia felt a sharp pain in her foot arch.
Liang has flat feet, so his arches touch the ground completely.
Rafael stretched his foot to ease the pain in his arch.
The doctor examined the arch on Min's right foot carefully.
- instep
the upper surface of the foot's arch, not the bottom curve itself
用法筆記
Often used in the plural (arches) because each foot has an arch. Common collocations: 'fallen arches' (flat feet), 'arch support' (shoe feature).
常見錯誤
4. any anatomical structure with a recognizable arch-like curvature, such as a curv
any anatomical structure with a recognizable arch-like curvature, such as a curved blood vessel or the curved bone under the brow
Aisha felt the bony arch above her right eye after the fall.
bony arch above the eye — brow ridge curve
Chen noticed the delicate arch of his niece's collarbone as she slept.
Dmitri gently pressed on the arch of his ribcage where it hurt.
Fatima traced the arch of her hip bone with her fingertips during yoga.
用法筆記
Mostly used in medical or technical anatomy contexts. Often forms part of a compound term such as 'aortic arch' or 'dental arch'.
arch — adjective
- archpositive
- archercomparative
- archestsuperlative
1. describing a person's expression, tone, or comment that playfully hints at havin
describing a person's expression, tone, or comment that playfully hints at having inside or superior knowledge of a situation
When Ryo mentioned the surprise, Kasia replied with an arch smile, "I thought you might say that."
arch smile — amused, knowing facial expression
Michael gave an arch look that showed he knew about the surprise party.
Zayd's arch comment made everyone realise he had already read the final report.
Chef Bao's arch tone suggested he had tasted far better pasta in Italy.
Romi raised one eyebrow in an arch expression of amused superiority.
- naive
lacking the knowing awareness that 'arch' expresses
用法筆記
Always describes a person's expression, tone, or remark — never a person directly (you would not say 'an arch person'). Frequently pairs with 'smile,' 'look,' 'tone,' 'expression,' or 'remark.'
常見錯誤
arch — verb
- archpresent simple I / you / we / they
- arches3rd person singular
- arching-ing form
- archedpast simple
1. to bend something so that it forms an arch shape, or to bend in this way natural
to bend something so that it forms an arch shape, or to bend in this way naturally
The cat arched its back when the dog walked past.
arched its back — classic animal posture of fear or threat
Ilan arched his eyebrows in surprise at the unexpected news.
The trees arch over the lane, forming a cool tunnel of leaves.
Ife arched her back slowly during the morning yoga session.
The bridge arches gracefully across the narrow valley below.
- straighten
to make something straight after it has been bent
文法句型
arch + noun phrase (bend something)
arch (intransitive — bend naturally)
用法筆記
Commonly used for body parts (back, eyebrows) and for structures that curve naturally. The transitive form ('arch something') is used when a person or animal makes a body part curve; the intransitive form describes something that curves on its own.