What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Arch vs Hench - What's the difference?

arch | hench |

As nouns the difference between arch and hench

is that arch is (senseid)an inverted u shape or arch can be (obsolete) a chief while hench is (architecture) the narrow side of chimney stack, a haunch .

As verbs the difference between arch and hench

is that arch is to form into an arch shape while hench is (comics) to be a henchman or henchwoman, usually for a supervillain.

As adjectives the difference between arch and hench

is that arch is (senseid) knowing, clever, mischievous while hench is (uk|slang) big, strong, and muscular.

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

    * ----

    hench

    English

    Noun

    (es)
  • (architecture) The narrow side of chimney stack, a haunch .
  • (architecture) The side of an arch from the topmost part (crown) to the bottommost part (impost).

    • Verb

    (es)
  • (comics) To be a henchman or henchwoman, usually for a supervillain.

    • Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (UK, slang) Big, strong, and muscular.
    • He's well hench .
    That's a seriously hench doorman.

    Synonyms

    * buff