An arc is a curved shape or the curving path of a moving object. In mathematics, an arc is part of a circle’s circumference. An arc is also a sparking discharge conducted from one electrode to another. The verb forms of arc are arcs, arced and arcing. Arcked and arcking are technically correct forms, but rarely used. Arc comes from the Old French arc meaning bowed or curved.
An arch is a curved structure that spans an opening and usually supports a bridge or roof. An arch may also be a decorative feature. Arch may describe many parts of the human body, such as the arch of the foot. Arch may also be used as a verb, arches, arched and arching are verb forms. Arch comes form the Old French arche, which means bow or arc.
Examples
I don’t root for Brenda and Eddie’s ensured demise, nor do I cheer for the unpopular kids’ slow arc of success. (Newsday)
Nor do I think a front row seat would make it any easier to relay the arc of the show as really, there is none to speak of. (Houston Press)
By now, the arc of Bill Miller’s three-decade investing career is well documented: from genius to failure and back to genius. (Investment News)
Even though the first 50 years of the 20th century were pretty barbaric due to two extremely bloody world wars, I still believe the arc of history bends towards progress and the pace has accelerated in the last 50 years. (The Huffington Post)
A POLICE facts sheet has revealed the moment two officers doing a routine search discovered a seemingly innocuous iPhone was allegedly an illegal taser that let off “a loud and visual electrical arc’’ at the push of some buttons. (The Sydney Daily Telegraph)
The area has several notable attractions including the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe, a rock chapel, castle ruins and a well-preserved village. (The Prague Post)
His last message to his teenage daughter said that he was in St. Louis, by the Gateway Arch, and was ultimately heading to Hollywood. (The St. Louis Post-Dispatch)