archlike

Archlike is an adjective describing something that has or resembles the form of an arch. An arch is a curved structure that spans a space and is typically formed by wedge-shaped blocks or a continuous curve; archlike objects or features imitate this form without being a true arch.

In architecture and design, archlike elements refer to curved openings or supports that evoke an arch’s silhouette even if they do not meet the structural or geometric criteria of a classical arch. Examples include decorative curves in doorways, window frames, or cornices, as well as vaults or arched ribs that suggest an arch without forming a load-bearing arch.

Outside built environments, the term is used in geology, paleontology, and art to describe natural landforms or sculptures with curved, arch-shaped profiles. Natural arches and sea stacks may appear archlike as seen in erosion-formed rock passages; in fossils, archlike curves in shells or vertebrate bones may be described similarly.

Compared with terms such as arched or arcuate, archlike emphasizes resemblance rather than full classification as an arch. It is often used descriptively rather than prescriptively.

See also: arch, arched, arcuate, archway, vault.