In the Bible, theark was a large boat which Noah built in order to save his family and two of every kind of animal fromthe Flood.
ark in British English
(ɑːk)
noun
1.
the vessel that Noah built and in which he saved himself, his family, and a number of animals and birds during the Flood (Genesis 6–9)
2. out of the ark
3.
a place or thing offering shelter or protection
4. dialect
a chest, box, or coffer
Word origin
Old English arc, from Latin arca box, chest
Ark in British English
(ɑːk)
noun Judaism
1. Also called: Holy Ark
the cupboard at the front of a synagogue, usually in the eastern wall, in which the Torah scrolls are kept
2. Also called: Ark of the Covenant
the most sacred symbol of God's presence among the Hebrew people, carried in their journey from Sinai to the Promised Land (Canaan) and eventually enshrined in the holy of holies of the Temple in Jerusalem
Ark. in British English
abbreviation for
Arkansas
Arkansas in British English
noun
1. (ˈɑːkənˌsɔː)
a state of the southern US: mountainous in the north and west, with the alluvial plain of the Mississippi in the east; has the only diamond mine in the US; agriculture, food processing, and aerospace industries. Capital: Little Rock. Pop: 2 725 714 (2003 est). Area: 134 537 sq km(51 945 sq miles)
Abbreviation: Ark. or (with zip code) AR
2. (ɑːˈkænzəs)
a river in the S central US, rising in central Colorado and flowing east and southeast to join the Mississippi in Arkansas. Length: 2335 km (1450 miles)
Ark in American English
Arkansas
ark in American English
(ɑrk)
noun
1. Archaic
a chest or coffer
2.
an enclosure in a synagogue or temple for the scrolls of the Torah
3.
a place or thing furnishing protection; refuge
4.
a.
the huge boat in which Noah, his family, and two of every kind of creature survived the Flood: Gen. 6
b.
ark of the covenant
5. US
a large, flat-bottomed boat formerly used on rivers
Word origin
OE earc < LL(Ec) arca < L, a box < arcere, to shut up, enclose: see exercise
More idioms containing
ark
something went out with the ark
be out of the ark
Examples of 'ark' in a sentence
ark
`I've drunk enough of your tea to launch Noah's ark ," said Aysgarth pithily.
Howatch, Susan ABSOLUTE TRUTHS (2001)
Now he was losing his little ark in the Mall as well; setting it free.
Clive Barker THE GREAT AND SECRET SHOW (2001)
Webb joined him and saw it was an exquisite ivory carving of a Noah's ark, some eight inches long and six high.
Fraser, Anthea THE GOSPEL MAKERS (2001)
{ Rite of Passage } M ark Charon found himself in rather a difficult position.
Clancy, Tom WITHOUT REMORSE (2001)
All related terms of 'ark'
Holy Ark
the cupboard at the front of a synagogue , usually in the eastern wall, in which the Torah scrolls are kept
Noah's Ark
the ship which the Hebrew patriarch Noah built to save himself, his family, and specimens of each species of animal and bird
out of the ark
very old ; out of date
Ark of the Covenant
the chest containing the two stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments , kept in the holiest part of the ancient Jewish Tabernacle : Ex . 25:10
be out of the ark
to be very old-fashioned
something went out with the ark
said to mean that something is not used now because it is so old-fashioned