Obs. [a. OF. arche:—L. arca: cf. ARK. It is possible that the OE. arc, arce may itself have become arch in some dialects, but the use of this form down to the 16th c. is clearly from Fr.]
1. Noah’s ark; = ARK 3.
c. 1205. Lay., 26. Noe & Sem, Japhet & Cham and heore four wiues þe mid heom weren on archen.
a. 1230. Ancr. R., 334. Eihte i þen arche.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 580. Ðan noe was in to ðe arche cumen.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 1843. On þe streme þat arche can ride.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. XII. 247. For archa noe … Ys no more to mene Bote holy churche.
2. The ark of the covenant; = ARK 2. Also transf.
c. 1450. Lonelich, Grail, xvi. 290. To kepen this holy arch [of the Grail] in this manere.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 422/4. The arche of the testamente of god.
1532. More, Confut. Tindale, Wks. 420/2. They abhorred not in the arche the ymages of the angels.
