Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - arc

abbr. 1 (in the UK) Agricultural Research Council. 2 Aids-related complex. ARC n. & v. --n. 1 part of the circumference of a circle or any other curve. 2 Electr. a luminous discharge between two electrodes. --v.intr. (arced; arcing) form an arc. Phrases and idioms arc lamp (or light) a light source using an electric arc. arc welding a method of using an electric arc to melt metals to be welded. Etymology: ME f. OF f. L arcus bow, curve