The Collaborative International Dictionary
Arc \Arc\, n. [F. arc, L. arcus bow, arc. See Arch, n.]
(Geom.) A portion of a curved line; as, the arc of a circle or of an ellipse.
A curvature in the shape of a circular arc or an arch; as, the colored arc (the rainbow); the arc of Hadley's quadrant.
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An arch. [Obs.]
Statues and trophies, and triumphal arcs.
--Milton. -
The apparent arc described, above or below the horizon, by the sun or other celestial body. The diurnal arc is described during the daytime, the nocturnal arc during the night.
Electric arc, Voltaic arc. See under Voltaic.
WordNet
n. electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric field [syn: discharge, spark, arc, electric discharge]
Wikipedia
An electric arc or arc discharge is an electrical breakdown of a gas that produces an ongoing electrical discharge. The current through a normally nonconductive media such as air produces a plasma; the plasma may produce visible light. An arc discharge is characterized by a lower voltage than a glow discharge, and it relies on thermionic emission of electrons from the electrodes supporting the arc. An archaic term is voltaic arc, as used in the phrase "voltaic arc lamp".
Usage examples of "electric arc".
Then an electric arc light outside, which happened to be on a level with a window, spluttered and flashed into brilliance almost blinding him.
During the 1830s and 1840s, fresh discoveries included electrolytic refining of a number of metals (principally copper and magnesium), electric arc-lights, improved direct-current motors, and electromagnets.
From the center of the block came the light that flooded the place, the fiercely blue light bluer than the glare of an electric arc, and from it came the sweetly soft hum.
He thought of the brilliant blue-white electric arc of the prod, the smell of cooking flesh, Ross Davies's flesh, and was glad at what he had done.
Where the rod touched, there was abrupt, sizzling blue flame, like an electric arc.
At a ground speed of perhaps as little as two hundred miles an hour, supported at the end by a jetting, hair-thin rocket flame that was like a rod of electric arc-fire, he swept across the top of the landing grid.
An electric arc crackles between the copper wire-wrapped poles of eldritch equipment.