French Conversation · Level 2
83 words
French word
arc
Pronunciation
IPA/aʁk/
Meaning
- masculine nounarch
Example
L'arc de l'église est ancien.
The church's arch is old.
More examples
Il y a un arc en briques à l'entrée.
There is a brick arch at the entrance.
Core concept
A bowed curve spanning two supports and leaving a passage beneath it.
Common phrases
l'arc d'entrée
the entrance arch
un arc en briques
a brick arch
Similar words
arche: A semicircular or curved support or decoration above a building entrance or window.
courbe: A general term for a line or shape that bends.
Definition in French
Partie courbe d'une construction qui soutient le poids au-dessus d'une ouverture et forme une entrée ou une voûte.
Word origin
French arc continues Latin arcus, meaning a bow or curved object, through Old French and keeps the original shape-based sense.
Usage tips
- Arc is masculine, so the usual forms are un arc and l'arc, with elision before the vowel sound.
Other meanings
- arcnoun
- bownoun
Related words
- arceausmall archnoun
- arquerbendverb
- arquéarchedadjective