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Arch vs Droll - What's the difference?

arch | droll |

As nouns the difference between arch and droll

is that arch is (senseid)an inverted u shape or arch can be (obsolete) a chief while droll is (archaic) a buffoon.

As verbs the difference between arch and droll

is that arch is to form into an arch shape while droll is (archaic) to joke, to jest.

As adjectives the difference between arch and droll

is that arch is (senseid) knowing, clever, mischievous while droll is oddly humorous; whimsical, amusing in a quaint way; waggish.

arch

English

(wikipedia arch) (commons)

Etymology 1

From (etyl), from (etyl) .

Noun

(es)
  • (senseid)An inverted U shape.
  • An arch-shaped arrangement of trapezoidal stones, designed to redistribute downward force outward.
  • (senseid)(architecture) An architectural element having the shape of an arch
  • Any place covered by an arch; an archway.
    • to pass into the arch of a bridge
  • (archaic, geometry) An arc; a part of a curve.
    • References
    *

    Verb

  • To form into an arch shape
    • The cat arched its back
  • To cover with an arch or arches.

    • Related terms

    * arc

    Etymology 2

    From the prefix . "Principal" is the original sense; "mischievous" is via onetime frequent collocation with rogue, knave, etc.

    Adjective

    (er)
  • (senseid) Knowing, clever, mischievous.
    • I attempted to hide my emotions, but an arch remark escaped my lips.
  • * Tatler
    • [He] spoke his request with so arch a leer.
  • * 1906 , O. Henry,
    • A certain melancholy that touched her countenance must have been of recent birth, for it had not yet altered the fine and youthful contours of her cheek, nor subdued the arch though resolute curve of her lips.
  • *
    • Lassiter ended there with dry humor, yet behind that was meaning. Jane blushed and made arch eyes at him.
  • Principal; primary.
  • * Shakespeare
    • the most arch act of piteous massacre
    Derived terms
    * (l)

    Noun

    (es)
  • (obsolete) A chief.
  • * Shakespeare
    • My worthy arch and patron comes to-night.

    External links

    * * *

    Anagrams

    * ----

    droll

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • oddly humorous; whimsical, amusing in a quaint way; waggish

    • Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * drollery * drolly * drollness

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (archaic) A buffoon
  • * , Episode 12, The Cyclops
    • Our two inimitable drolls did a roaring trade with their broadsheets among lovers of the comedy element and nobody who has a corner in his heart for real Irish fun without vulgarity will grudge them their hardearned pennies.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (archaic) To joke, to jest.
  • * 1886 , Robert Louise Stevenson, Kidnapped
    • "Eh, man," said I, drolling with him a little, "you're very ingenious! But would it not be simpler for you to write him a few words in black and white?

    Anagrams

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