ark
ark Lexical Profile
ark Game Scores & Validity
• noun
In biblical tradition, the massive wooden vessel built by Noah to save his family and two of every kind of animal from the Great Flood; by extension, any large, roomy, or cumbersome boat.
"The children's picture book illustrated animals marching two by two into the wooden ark before the rain began."
In Jewish history and liturgy, the sacred chest (Ark of the Covenant) that held the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, or the ornamental closet in a synagogue that houses the Torah scrolls.
"During the service, the rabbi opened the curtains of the ark and carefully lifted out the Torah scroll."
A place or vessel that serves as a safe refuge, sanctuary, or repository for preserving life or knowledge.
"The arctic seed vault was designed as a modern ark to safeguard global crop diversity against future disasters."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'ark' (a large vessel, refuge, or sacred chest) with its homophone 'arc' (a curved line or electrical discharge).
• Rhymes for ark
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'earc', borrowed from Latin 'arca' meaning 'chest, box, or coffer', related to the verb 'arcere' meaning 'to enclose or keep off'.