Curve vs. Arch — What's the Difference?

In mathematics, a curve (also called a curved line in older texts) is an object similar to a line, but that does not have to be straight. Intuitively, a curve may be thought of as the trace left by a moving point.

An arch is a vertical curved structure that spans an elevated space and may or may not support the weight above it, or in case of a horizontal arch like an arch dam, the hydrostatic pressure against it. Arches may be synonymous with vaults, but a vault may be distinguished as a continuous arch forming a roof.

A line that deviates from straightness in a smooth, continuous fashion.

A usually curved structure forming the upper edge of an open space and supporting the weight above it, as in a bridge or doorway.

A surface that deviates from planarity in a smooth, continuous fashion.

A structure, such as a freestanding monument, shaped like an inverted U.

Something characterized by such a line or surface, especially a rounded line or contour of the human body.

A curve with the ends down and the middle up:the arch of a raised eyebrow.

A relatively smooth bend in a road or other course.

(Anatomy)An organ or structure having a curved or bowlike appearance, especially either of two arched sections of the bony structure of the foot.

A line representing data on a graph.

To provide with an arch:arch a passageway.

A trend derived from or as if from such a graph

To cause to form an arch or similar curve.

A graphic representation showing the relative performance of individuals as measured against each other, used especially as a method of grading students in which the assignment of grades is based on predetermined proportions of students.

To bend backward:The dancers alternately arched and hunched their backs.

The graph of a function on a coordinate plane.

To span:"the rude bridge that arched the flood"(Ralph Waldo Emerson).

The intersection of two surfaces in three dimensions.

To form an arch or archlike curve:The high fly ball arched toward the stands.

The graph of the solutions to any equation of two variables.

Chief; principal

(Baseball) A curve ball.

Mischievous; roguish

(Slang) Something that is unexpected or designed to trick or deceive.

Teasing, ironic, or sardonic

To move in or take the shape of a curve

An inverted U shape.

To cause to curve.

An arch-shaped arrangement of trapezoidal stones, designed to redistribute downward force outward.

(Baseball) To pitch (a ball) with a curve.

(architecture) An architectural element having the shape of an arch

To grade (students, for example) on a curve.

Any place covered by an arch; an archway.

(obsolete) Bent without angles; crooked; curved. Category:en:Curves

An arc; a part of a curve.

A gentle bend, such as in a road.

A natural arch-shaped opening in a rock mass.

A simple figure containing no straight portions and no angles; a curved line.

(anatomy) Curved part of the bottom of a foot.

A grading system based on the scale of performance of a group used to normalize a right-skewed grade distribution (with more lower scores) into a bell curve, so that more can receive higher grades, regardless of their actual knowledge of the subject.

(obsolete) chief

(analytic geometry) A continuous map from a one-dimensional space to a multidimensional space.

To form into an arch shape.

(geometry) A one-dimensional figure of non-zero length; the graph of a continuous map from a one-dimensional space.

To cover with an arch or arches.

(algebraic geometry) An algebraic curve; a polynomial relation of the planar coordinates.

Knowing, clever, mischievous

(topology) A one-dimensional continuum.

Principal; primary

The attractive shape of a woman's body.

Any part of a curved line.

(transitive) To bend; to crook.

Usually a curved member made up of separate wedge-shaped solids, with the joints between them disposed in the direction of the radii of the curve; used to support the wall or other weight above an opening. In this sense arches are segmental, round (i. e., semicircular), or pointed.

(transitive) To cause to swerve from a straight course.

Any place covered by an arch; an archway; as, to pass into the arch of a bridge.

(intransitive) To bend or turn gradually from a given direction.

Any curvature in the form of an arch; as, the arch of the aorta.

(transitive) To grade on a curve (bell curve of a normal distribution).

A chief.

(transitive) (slang) To reject, to turn down romantic advances.

To cover with an arch or arches.

Bent without angles; crooked; curved; as, a curve line; a curve surface.

To form or bend into the shape of an arch.

A bending without angles; that which is bent; a flexure; as, a curve in a railway or canal.

To form into an arch; to curve.

A line described according to some low, and having no finite portion of it a straight line.

Chief; eminent; greatest; principal.

To bend; to crook; as, to curve a line; to curve a pipe; to cause to swerve from a straight course; as, to curve a ball in pitching it.

Cunning or sly; sportively mischievous; roguish; as, an arch look, word, lad.

To bend or turn gradually from a given direction; as, the road curves to the right.

A curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening

The trace of a point whose direction of motion changes

A curved bony structure supporting or enclosing organs (especially arches of the feet)

A line on a graph representing data

A passageway under an arch

A baseball thrown with spin so that its path curves as it approach the batter

(architecture) a masonry construction (usually curved) for spanning an opening and supporting the weight above it

The property possessed by the curving of a line or surface

Form an arch or curve;

Curved segment (of a road or river or railroad track etc.)

(of persons) highest in rank or authority or office;

Turn sharply; change direction abruptly;

(used of behavior or attitude) characteristic of those who treat others with condescension

Extend in curves and turns;

Expert in skulduggery;

Form an arch or curve;

Bend or cause to bend;

Form a curl, curve, or kink;