ar|bi|trate /ɑː r b I tre I t/ (arbitrates , arbitrating , arbitrated ) VERB When someone in authority arbitrates between two people or groups who are in dispute, they consider all the facts and make an official decision about who is right. □ [V + between ] He arbitrates between investors and members of the association. □ [V ] The tribunal had been set up to arbitrate in the dispute. ● ar|bi|tra|tor /ɑː r b I tre I tə r / (arbitrators ) N‑COUNT □ He served as an arbitrator in a series of commercial disputes in India.
ar|bi|tra|tion /ɑː r b I tre I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Arbitration is the judging of a dispute between people or groups by someone who is not involved. □ The matter is likely to go to arbitration.
ar|bor|eal /ɑː r bɔː riəl/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Arboreal animals live in trees. [TECHNICAL ] □ …arboreal marsupials which resemble monkeys.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Arboreal means relating to trees. [FORMAL ] □ …the arboreal splendor of the valley.
ar|bo|retum /ɑː r bəriː təm/ (arboreta /ɑː r bəriː tə/ or arboretums ) N‑COUNT An arboretum is a specially designed garden of different types of trees.
ar|bour /ɑː r bə r / (arbours ) in AM, use arbor N‑COUNT An arbour is a shelter in a garden which is formed by leaves and stems of plants growing close together over a light framework.
arc /ɑː r k/ (arcs )
1 N‑COUNT An arc is a smoothly curving line or movement. □ The Aleutian chain is a long arc of islands in the North Pacific.
2 N‑COUNT In geometry, an arc is a part of the line that forms the outside of a circle. [TECHNICAL ]
ar|cade /ɑː r ke I d/ (arcades ) N‑COUNT An arcade is a covered passage where there are shops or market stalls. □ …a shopping arcade.
ar|ca de game (arcade games ) N‑COUNT An arcade game is a computer game of the type that is often played in amusement arcades.
ar|cane /ɑː r ke I n/ ADJ Something that is arcane is secret or mysterious. [FORMAL ] □ Until a few months ago few people outside the arcane world of contemporary music had heard of Gorecki.
arch /ɑː r tʃ/ (arches , arching , arched )
1 N‑COUNT An arch is a structure that is curved at the top and is supported on either side by a pillar, post, or wall.
2 N‑COUNT An arch is a curved line or movement.
3 N‑COUNT The arch of your foot is the curved section at the bottom in the middle.
4 VERB If you arch a part of your body such as your back or if it arches , you bend it so that it forms a curve. □ [V n] Don't arch your back, keep your spine straight. [Also V ]
5 VERB If you arch your eyebrows or if they arch , you move them upwards as a way of showing surprise or disapproval. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] 'Oh really?' he said, arching an eyebrow. [Also V ]
6 → see also arched
arch- /ɑː r tʃ-/ COMB Arch- combines with nouns referring to people to form new nouns that refer to people who are extreme examples of something. For example, your arch-rival is the rival you most want to beat. □ …his arch-enemy.
ar|chae|ol|ogy /ɑː r kiɒ lədʒi/ also archeology N‑UNCOUNT Archaeology is the study of the societies and peoples of the past by examining the remains of their buildings, tools, and other objects. ● ar|chaeo|logi|cal /ɑː r kiəlɒ dʒ I k ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] □ …one of the region's most important archaeological sites. ● ar|chae|olo|gist /ɑː r kiɒ lədʒ I st/ (archaeologists ) N‑COUNT □ The archaeologists found a house built around 300 BC.
ar|cha|ic /ɑː r ke I I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Archaic means extremely old or extremely old-fashioned. □ …archaic laws that are very seldom used.
arch|angel /ɑː r ke I ndʒ ə l/ (archangels ) N‑COUNT In the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religions, an archangel is an angel of the highest rank.
arch|bishop /ɑː r tʃb I ʃəp/ (archbishops ) N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE In the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican Churches, an archbishop is a bishop of the highest rank, who is in charge of all the bishops and priests in a particular country or region. □ …the Archbishop of Canterbury. □ …Archbishop Derek Worlock.
arch|deacon /ɑː r tʃdiː kən/ (archdeacons ) N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE An archdeacon is a high-ranking clergyman who works as an assistant to a bishop, especially in the Anglican church.
arch|dio|cese /ɑː r tʃdai əs I s/ (archdioceses /ɑː r tʃdai əsiːz/) N‑COUNT An archdiocese is the area over which an archbishop has control.
arched /ɑː r tʃt/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An arched roof, window, or doorway is curved at the top.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An arched bridge has arches as part of its structure. □ …a fortified arched bridge spanning the River Severn.
ar|che|ol|ogy /ɑː r kiɒ lədʒi/ → see archaeology
arch|er /ɑː r tʃə r / (archers ) N‑COUNT An archer is someone who shoots arrows using a bow.