arc

noun

/ɑːk/

/ɑːrk/

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(geometry) part of a circle or a curved line
- to draw an arc using a compass
Topics Maths and measurementc2
a curved shape
- the arc of a rainbow
- The beach swept around in an arc.
- They were firing shells in a high arc over our heads.
Topics Colours and Shapesc2
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- broad
- great
- high
- …
verb + arc
- describe
- form
- make
- …
preposition
- in an arc
See full entry
the basic story, the story of one character or the main theme in a novel, film, etc.
- The vivid characters and the satisfying story arc make this a rewarding novel.
- The father has the most interesting character arc in the series.
Topics Literature and writingc2
(specialist) an electric current passing across a space between two terminals see also arc lamp

Word Originlate Middle English (denoting the path of a celestial object, especially the sun, from horizon to horizon): via Old French from Latin arcus ‘bow, curve’.

arc

verb

/ɑːk/

/ɑːrk/

(specialist)

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they arc	/ɑːk/ /ɑːrk/
he / she / it arcs	/ɑːks/ /ɑːrks/
past simple arced	/ɑːkt/ /ɑːrkt/
past participle arced	/ɑːkt/ /ɑːrkt/
-ing form arcing	/ˈɑːkɪŋ/ /ˈɑːrkɪŋ/

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[intransitive] to move in the shape of an arc
- For a few seconds a perfect rainbow arced across the city.
[intransitive] to form an electric arc

Word Originlate Middle English (denoting the path of a celestial object, especially the sun, from horizon to horizon): via Old French from Latin arcus ‘bow, curve’.