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arc
noun
A continuous part of the circumference of a circle or other curved line; also, the path traced by a moving object through space, or the apparent path of a celestial body across the sky.
Etymology
Example
"The rainbow formed a perfect arc across the sky after the storm passed over the valley."
Usage Notes
Arc appears in mathematical, astronomical, and general contexts. In geometry, it refers to a precise section of a circle's circumference. In astronomy, it describes the apparent path of celestial bodies. More generally, it can describe any curved path or trajectory, and the modern term 'character arc' refers to development over time. Register ranges from neutral to formal, commonly used in academic and scientific writing.