ARCHLY

archly

(adverb) in an arch manner; with playful slyness or roguishness

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adverb

archly (comparative more archly, superlative most archly)

In an arch manner; slyly.

Source: Wiktionary


Arch"ly, adv.

Definition: In an arch manner; with attractive slyness or roguishness; slyly; waggishly. Archly the maiden smiled. Longfellow.

ARCH

Arch, n. Etym: [F. arche, fr. LL. arca, for arcus. See Arc.]

1. (Geom.)

Definition: Any part of a curved line.

2. (Arch.) (a) Usually a curved member made up of separate wedge-shaped solids, with the joints between them disposed in the direction of the radii of the curve; used to support the wall or other weight above an opening. In this sense arches are segmental, round (i. e., semicircular), or pointed. (b) A flat arch is a member constructed of stones cut into wedges or other shapes so as to support each other without rising in a curve.

Note: Scientifically considered, the arch is a means of spanning an opening by resolving vertical pressure into horizontal or diagonal thrust.

3. Any place covered by an arch; an archway; as, to pass into the arch of a bridge.

4. Any curvature in the form of an arch; as, the arch of the aorta. "Colors of the showery arch." Milton. Triumphal arch, a monumental structure resembling an arched gateway, with one or more passages, erected to commemorate a triumph.

Arch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Arched; p. pr. & vb. n. Arching.]

1. To cover with an arch or arches.

2. To form or bend into the shape of an arch. The horse arched his neck. Charlesworth.

Arch, v. i.

Definition: To form into an arch; to curve.

Arch- (ärch-, except in archangel and one or two other words). Etym: [L. arch-, Gr. Arch-.]

Definition: A prefix signifying chief, as in archbuilder, archfiend.

Arch, a. Etym: [See Arch-, pref.]

1. Chief; eminent; greatest; principal. The most arch act of piteous massacre. Shak.

2. Cunning or sly; sportively mischievous; roguish; as, an arch look, word, lad. [He] spoke his request with so arch a leer. Tatler.

Arch, n. Etym: [See Arch-, pref.]

Definition: A chief. [Obs.] My worthy arch and patron comes to-night. Shak.

*arch. Etym: [Gr. Arch, a.]

Definition: A suffix meaning a ruler, as in monarch (a sole ruler).

-arch. [Gr. 'archo`s chief, commander, 'a`rchein to rule. See Arch, a.]

Definition: A suffix meaning a ruler, as in monarch (a sole ruler).

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

23 December 2024

QUANDONG

(noun) Australian tree having hard white timber and glossy green leaves with white flowers followed by one-seeded glossy blue fruit


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Coffee Trivia

The world’s most expensive coffee costs more than US$700 per kilogram. Asian palm civet – a cat-like creature in Indonesia, eats fruits, including select coffee cherries. It excretes partially digested seeds that produce a smooth, less acidic brew of coffee called kopi luwak.

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