arc
Noun:
- A curved shape or line: An "arc" is something that has a smooth, continuous curve, like part of a circle or a rainbow.
- A continuous portion of a circle: In geometry, an "arc" is a specific segment of the circumference of a circle.
- Electrical discharge through a gas: In physics, an "arc" is a luminous electrical discharge, like a spark or flash of light, that occurs when electricity jumps through the air or another gas.
Verb:
- To form a curve or arch: To "arc" means to move or lie along a curved path, creating an arch-like shape.
Noun:
- The rainbow formed a perfect arc across the sky.
- The architect drew an arc with a compass to design the window.
- The welder used an electric arc to join the metal pieces.
Verb:
- The ball arced high into the air before landing in the goal.
- The road arcs gently around the lake.
"Arc of history": A metaphorical phrase describing the long-term, seemingly inevitable progression or trend of historical events.
- Many believe the arc of history bends toward justice.
"Story arc" or "character arc": A narrative term for the overarching development or transformation of a plot or a character over the course of a story.
- The protagonist's character arc from coward to hero was compelling.
Arc lamp (n): A lamp that produces light from an electric arc.
- Early street lighting sometimes used arc lamps.
Arc welding (n): A welding process that uses an electric arc to melt and join metals.
- He is skilled in arc welding.
Arcing (n/adj): The act of forming an arc; producing an electrical arc.
- The faulty wire caused dangerous arcing.
- Curve: A line that deviates from being straight.
- Arch: A curved symmetrical structure spanning an opening.
- Crescent: A shape resembling a segment of a ring, like the moon.
(Note: "Arc" is not commonly used with particles to form phrasal verbs. Its verbal use is typically intransitive.) - To arc over/above/across: These prepositions are often used with the verb "arc" to describe the path of the curve. - The bridge arcs over the river. - The fireworks arced across the night sky.
- The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice: A famous quotation (often attributed to Martin Luther King Jr.) suggesting that, despite setbacks, history progresses toward fairness and righteousness.
- She found hope in the idea that the arc of the moral universe bends toward justice.
- something curved in shape
- a continuous portion of a circle
- electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric field
- form an arch or curve
- her back arches
- her hips curve nicely