arc

Everyday

1. An arc is part of the curved line of a circle, or any curved line shaped like this. tree →
2. To arc is to move in a curve: the ball arced through the air. tree →
3. A story arc is the shape a story or a character's change follows from beginning to end. tree →
4. (science) An electric arc is a bright spark that jumps across a gap. tree →

In the lessons

In maths lessons on circles, an arc is part of the circumference; pupils draw arcs with compasses to construct triangles, and learn related words (radius, diameter, chord, sector). In PE and science, a thrown ball travels in an arc. In English, «story arc» or «character arc» describes how events or a character change. Phrases: «draw an arc», «arc of a circle», «in an arc», «story arc», «rainbow arc».

Examples

• Use a compass to draw an arc. tree →
• An arc is part of the edge of a circle. tree →
• The ball arced high over the goalkeeper's head. tree →
• A rainbow is an arc of colours. tree →
• The hero's character arc goes from scared to brave. tree →
• The welder's arc was so bright we could not look at it. tree →

Note

Use «an»: «an arc». Homophone trap: «arc» (curve) and «ark» (Noah's boat) sound the same. Maths: the arc length of a full circle is the circumference; half the circle gives half the length. Do not confuse an arc with an arch (a curved structure like a doorway).

In Jewish tradition

In maths lessons on circles, an arc is part of the circumference; pupils draw arcs with compasses to construct triangles, and learn related words (radius, diameter, chord, sector). In PE and science, a thrown ball travels in an arc. In English, «story arc» or «character arc» describes how events or a character change. Phrases: «draw an arc», «arc of a circle», «in an arc», «story arc», «rainbow arc».

Note

Use «an»: «an arc». Homophone trap: «arc» (curve) and «ark» (Noah's boat) sound the same. Maths: the arc length of a full circle is the circumference; half the circle gives half the length. Do not confuse an arc with an arch (a curved structure like a doorway).