Standard Lemma guide

arc-

prefix · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

prefix

Meaning 1

Used to form the names of inverse trigonometric functions, and the symbols for these functions.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: morpheme

Topics: mathematics, sciences

Examples

  • arc-sine (British), arcsine (US)
  • arctan

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

prefix

Meaning 2

Alternative form of ar- used to form the names of inverse hyperbolic functions, and the symbols for these functions.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: alt-of, alternative, morpheme, proscribed, sometimes

Topics: mathematics, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h2erkw- Proto-Indo-European *h2erkwos Proto-Italic *arkuos Latin arcusder. English arc- From Latin arcus (“bow, arc”), as they represent an angle or arc. Compare etymology of arch.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Hungarian: arkusz- — forms the names of inverse trigonometric and hyperbolic functions
  • Portuguese: arco- — forms the names of inverse trigonometric and hyperbolic functions
  • Turkish: ark- — forms the names of inverse trigonometric and hyperbolic functions