Arch
/ɑːrtʃ/noun
A curved structure spanning an opening, or a principal or chief person.
Did you know?The English word arch comes through Latin and French from Greek archḗ, a root tied to rule and beginnings, which also lives on in words for rulers, first principles, and cosmic orders.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂erǵ-
“to begin, to be first; to rule”
Ancient Greek
Greek
archḗ (ἀρχή)
“beginning, first place, rule, authority”
Ancient Greek
Greek
archos (ἀρχός)
“ruler, leader”
Latin
Latin
arcus
“bow, arch”
Old French
Old French
arche
“arch, bow”
Middle English
English
arche
“arch, curved structure”
Modern English
English
arch
“curved structure; chief or principal”