Ark
/ɑːrk/noun
A large boat or vessel, especially the one built by Noah; also a chest or container for sacred objects.
Did you know?Ark comes from Latin arca, meaning a chest or box, the same root behind the idea of something sealed away and protected—so the “Ark” began as a container before it became a legendary rescue vessel.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
arca
“a chest, box, or coffer”
Late Latin
Latin
arca Noe
“Noah's chest or vessel in biblical usage”
Old English
OE
arc
“a chest or box; later, Noah's vessel in biblical translations”
Middle English
English
ark
“a chest, coffer, or sacred vessel”
Modern English
English
ark
“a large boat or vessel, especially Noah's Ark; also a sacred container”