arc

Pronunciation: /ɑɹk/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric field
  2. noun a continuous portion of a circle
  3. noun something curved in shape

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English ark, from Old French arc, from Latin arcus (“a bow, arc, arch”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂erkʷos (“bow, arrow”). Doublet of arch, arco, and arrow.

In classic literature

Synonyms

discharge, spark, electric arc, electric discharge

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
electrical conduction
Narrower (hyponyms)
corona discharge, flashover, brush discharge

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