arches
|arch-es|
🇺🇸
/ˈɑr.tʃɪz/
🇬🇧
/ˈɑː.tʃɪz/
(arch)
curved shape
Etymology
'arch' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'arcus', where the root meant 'bow' or 'arc'.
'arch' changed from Old English 'earc' and Middle English 'arche' and eventually became the modern English word 'arch' (with the plural 'arches').
Initially, it meant 'a bow' or 'curved structure'; over time it evolved into the architectural and anatomical senses 'curved support/curve' and figurative uses (e.g., 'arch' as principal or cunning).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
curved structures (usually plural) that span an opening and support weight, as in bridges, doorways, or architecture in general.
The old bridge's arches are crumbling and need repair.
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Noun 2
the curved part of the foot (the plural form referring to both feet or multiple arch-shaped structures).
Shoes with good support help protect the arches of your feet.
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Verb 1
third-person singular present of 'arch': to form or cause to form a curved shape; to bend or curve upward or outward.
She arches her back to reach the top shelf.
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Last updated: 2025/10/06 00:15