arch
Playfully sly manner
An arch is a curved structure spanning an opening, typically supporting weight above it—doorways, bridges, windows.
The shape appears throughout nature and anatomy: the arch of the foot, an eyebrow's arch.
As a verb, to arch is to form this curve: The cat arched its back.
Separately, arch as an adjective means playfully mischievous or knowingly teasing: an arch smile, an arch tone.
This second word derives from the prefix arch- (chief, principal), suggesting someone who acts as though they know more than they're saying.
Foot's upper arch
- metatarsalMidfoot skeletal element
- tarsalOf the ankle
- plantarOf the sole
- soleFoot's bottom surface
midfoot · footbed · fallen · flat-footed · orthotic · pronation · supination · podiatry
Arch's central locking stone
- springerOne that leaps
- spandrelSpace flanking arch curves
- soffitArchitectural element's underside
- abutmentLoad-bearing end structure
pier · colonnade · vault · buttress · Romanesque · pointed · rounded · horseshoe
To uphold or sustain
- load-bearingSustaining structural mass
- spanDistance between endpoints
- thrustForceful forward motion
- compressionForcing into smaller space
tension · abutment · pier · buttress · reinforcement · stability · engineering · beam
Curved line segment
- semicircleHalf a ring
- crescentCurved sickle-like arc
- bowRespectful forward inclination
- sweepBrush clean with broom
camber · vault · bend · parabola · catenary · span · curvature · rainbow
Possessing awareness or insight
mischievous · playful · ironic · sardonic · wry · teasing · smirk · glance
Not artificially produced
- rockSolid earthen material
- sandstoneCemented grain sediment
- erosionGradual wearing away
- UtahBeehive State, western region
Moab · span · window · bridge · formation · weathering · canyon · redrock
Garden trellis structure
- pergolaLatticework frame for climbers
- trellisGarden climbing structure
- bowerLeafy garden shelter
- gatewayPoint of access
rose · climbing · vine · topiary · lattice · moongate · entrance · wedding
instep
Foot's upper arch
- metatarsalMidfoot skeletal element
- tarsalOf the ankle
- plantarOf the sole
sole · midfoot · footbed · fallen · flat-footed · orthotic · pronation · supination · podiatry · longitudinal
keystone
Arch's central locking stone
abutment · pier · colonnade · vault · buttress · Romanesque · pointed · rounded · horseshoe · ogee
support
To uphold or sustain
- load-bearingSustaining structural mass
- spanDistance between endpoints
- thrustForceful forward motion
compression · tension · abutment · pier · buttress · reinforcement · stability · engineering · beam · bridge
arc
Curved line segment
- semicircleHalf a ring
- crescentCurved sickle-like arc
- bowRespectful forward inclination
sweep · camber · vault · bend · parabola · catenary · span · curvature · rainbow · eyebrow
knowing
Possessing awareness or insight
sly · mischievous · playful · ironic · sardonic · wry · teasing · smirk · glance · tone
natural
Not artificially produced
Utah · Moab · span · window · bridge · formation · weathering · canyon · redrock · desert
arbor
Garden trellis structure
gateway · rose · climbing · vine · topiary · lattice · moongate · entrance · wedding · ceremonial
decorative
Serving to beautify
- friezeOrnamental architectural band
- moldingDecorative architectural edging
- scrollworkSpiral ornamental design
tracery · carved · gilded · baroque · rococo · filigree · corbel · bracket · entablature · pediment
- architectureEiffel Tower, buildings, architects, design, thatching
- archesArc de Triomphe, Brandenburg Gate, Golden Gate, torii, torii gate
- civic landmarkscapitol, city gate, civic center, clock tower, courthouse
- coastal featuresshore, coast, beach, bay, cliff
- curvescurve, arc, curves, curls, curl
- Old Towncobblestone streets, cobblestone street, cobblestones, market square, town square
archbeam
Structural support member
lintel · post-and-beam · corbel · column · pillar
archminor
Scale with lowered third
subordinate · secondary · inferior · subsidiary · lesser
- Gateway ArchCatenary-shaped memorial in Missouri
- triumphal archMonument celebrating conquest
- shopping arcadeCovered passageway with shops
- arcade gameToken-operated entertainment machine
- arcade tokensAmusement venue currency
- arch enemyPrincipal, persistent adversary
monarch, arcade, arched, hierarchy, monarchy, anarchy, archway, arching, matriarch