arc

Language: en

🇬🇧 /ˈɑːk/ 🇺🇸 /ˈɑrk/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    A part of the circumference of a circle or other curved shape; a segment of a curve.; A curved trajectory or path followed by a moving object, such as a projectile or a celestial body.; An electrical discharge between two electrodes, producing a luminous glow and intense heat.; A narrative or thematic progression in a story, film, or series of events; a storyline that develops over time.; A unit of angular measurement equal to one degree of a circle, or a subdivision thereof (arcminute, arcsecond).; A covered passageway or gallery, often with arches, connecting buildings or lining a street.; In mathematics, a connected subset of a curve; a continuous one-to-one image of a closed interval.; A prefix or abbreviation for 'arch' in certain compound words, denoting chief or principal (e.g., arcangel).
  2. verb
    To move in a curved path or trajectory.; To form an arc or curve.; To produce an electrical arc; to discharge electricity across a gap.
  3. noun
    A reversed or inverted curve; a curve that bends in the opposite direction (used in architecture and engineering).

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable Plural: arcs 3rd sing.: arcs Past: arced Past part.: arced Pres part.: arcing

Collocations

story arccharacter arcnarrative arcelectric arcarc weldingarc of history

Derivatives

arcadearcing

Synonyms

curvebowbendcrescentarch

Commonly confused

arch
EN: 'Arch' refers to a structural curved support (e.g., a doorway); 'arc' is a segment of a curve or circle, or a storyline trajectory.
ark
EN: 'Ark' is a large vessel or boat (e.g., Noah's Ark); 'arc' is a curved line or path. They are homophones.

Spelling tips

EN: The past tense is 'arced' and the present participle is 'arcing'—do not add a 'k' (not 'arcked' or 'arcking'). Also beware of the homophone 'ark'.

💬 Examples

  1. The rainbow formed a perfect arc across the sky.

  2. The ball flew through the air in a graceful arc.

  3. The welder created a bright arc between the electrode and the metal.

  4. The character's arc from villain to hero was compelling.

  5. The angle was measured at 30 arc minutes.

  6. We walked through the shopping arc in the old part of town.

  7. The theorem applies to any simple arc in the plane.

  8. The arcangel Michael is depicted in many Renaissance paintings.

  9. The fireworks arced across the night sky before exploding.

  10. The bridge arced gracefully over the river.