Arches

arch 1  (ärch) n. 1. A structure, especially one of masonry, forming the curved, pointed, or flat upper edge of an open space and supporting the weight above it, as in a bridge or doorway. 2. A structure, such as a freestanding monument, shaped like an inverted U. 3. A curve with the ends down and the middle up: the arch of a raised eyebrow. 4. Anatomy An organ or structure having a curved or bowlike appearance, especially either of two arched sections of the bony structure of the foot. v. arched, arch·ing, arch·es v.tr. 1. To provide with an arch: arch a passageway. 2. To cause to form an arch or similar curve. 3. To bend backward: The dancers alternately arched and hunched their backs. 4. To span: "the rude bridge that arched the flood" Ralph Waldo Emerson. v.intr. To form an arch or archlike curve: The high fly ball arched toward the stands. [Middle English, from Old French arche, from Vulgar Latin *arca, from Latin arcus.]

arch1 semicircular arch A. keystone B. voussoirs C. springers D. imposts