arc
arc — noun
1. a smooth curved line that looks like a slice taken from a circle's edge — or any
a smooth curved line that looks like a slice taken from a circle's edge — or any object that bends into this kind of rounded shape.
The rainbow formed a perfect arc above the green hills near Hualien.
noun in main clause: an arc of [thing]
Ravi drew a wide arc on the whiteboard to show the planet's path.
collocation: draw an arc
The water from the fountain rose in a graceful arc and fell into the pool.
Jin's eyebrows have a soft arc that makes her look surprised.
The gymnast's body curved into a tight arc as she swung from the bar.
文法句型
arc of [noun]
in an arc
用法筆記
Often paired with adjectives that describe the curve's shape or width: wide, tight, gentle, graceful. Distinguish from sense 3, which is figurative and refers to a story line, not a physical curve.
常見錯誤
2. a strong, bright stream of electricity that jumps through the air from one metal
a strong, bright stream of electricity that jumps through the air from one metal point to another, giving off intense heat and light.
A blue electric arc jumped between the loose wires inside the broken machine.
collocation: electric arc
The welder lowered his mask as a bright arc lit up the workshop.
collocation: bright arc; welding context
Engineers measured the heat of the arc to test the new battery.
When Hiro touched the faulty switch, a small arc burned his finger.
The arc between the two electrodes turned the metal rod red-hot.
文法句型
an arc of electricity
an electric arc
用法筆記
Subject is usually the spark itself; the action verbs are 'jump', 'flash', 'form'. Frequently used with 'electric' to make the meaning unambiguous, since 'arc' alone often suggests sense 1.
常見錯誤
3. the path that a story or one character follows from beginning to end, especially
the path that a story or one character follows from beginning to end, especially inside a longer film, novel, or TV series.
The writers spent months planning the villain's arc across the new season.
collocation: character / villain's arc
Tova cried at the end because the heroine's arc finally felt complete.
pattern: [character]'s arc
Fans complained that the show rushed the love arc in the final episodes.
Each book in the trilogy follows a clear arc from danger to peace.
The director said the young detective's arc was the heart of the film.
文法句型
story arc
character arc
the arc of [story / character]
用法筆記
Almost always preceded by a noun showing whose arc it is ('character arc', 'story arc', 'redemption arc') or a possessive. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is metaphorical and describes development over time, not a visible curve.
常見錯誤
arc — verb
1. to travel through the air or across a space along a smooth curved path, especial
to travel through the air or across a space along a smooth curved path, especially upwards and then downwards.
The football arced over the goalkeeper's hands and into the net.
pattern: arc over [obstacle]
Bright fireworks arced across the night sky above Tamsui harbour.
pattern: arc across [space]
The dolphin arced gracefully out of the water and dived back in.
Water from the broken pipe arced into the street below.
Hiro watched the basketball arc towards the hoop and drop in cleanly.
文法句型
arc + adv/prep (over, across, through, towards)
用法筆記
Almost always followed by a directional adverb or preposition (over, across, through, towards, into). The subject is something that moves and rises before falling: a ball, water, a firework, a jumping animal.
常見錯誤
2. (of electricity) to jump as a bright, hot stream from one metal point to another
(of electricity) to jump as a bright, hot stream from one metal point to another through the air or gas in between.
Electricity arced between the damaged wires and started a small fire.
pattern: arc between [points]
The current arced across the gap with a sharp crackling sound.
pattern: arc across [gap]
Sparks arced from the loose cable as Dr. Gita pulled the plug.
The technician warned that the high voltage could arc if anyone touched the rail.
文法句型
arc between [points]
arc across [gap]
用法筆記
Subject is the electricity, current, or spark itself, not the device. Common in technical and safety contexts. Distinguish from verb sense 1: that sense describes a physical object's curved flight, this sense describes electrical discharge.