oblúku

oblúku is the dative singular and locative singular form of the Slovak noun oblúk, which means arc, arch, or curved line. In Slovak, oblúk can refer to a geometric arc as well as to an architectural arch, and oblúku is the form that appears after certain prepositions or verbs that govern the dative or locative case (for example with the preposition v meaning “in,” or k meaning “to”). The distinction between these case forms is an essential part of Slovak grammar.

In usage, oblúk denotes a curved segment of a circle or any curved line in geometry, and by extension, it can describe an arch or curved structural element in architecture and design. The term appears in technical and academic Slovak texts concerning geometry, surveying, construction, and architectural history. The word is part of a regular noun paradigm: nominative oblúk, genitive oblúka, dative oblúku, accusative oblúk, locative oblúku, instrumental oblúkom. Plural forms include oblúky (nominative) and oblúkov (genitive).

Outside of Slovak grammar, the English equivalents are arc or arch, depending on the context. The specific form oblúku is typically encountered in Slovak-language materials or in linguistic discussions about Slovak inflection, rather than as an independent lexical item in English. Understanding oblúku thus depends on recognizing its role as a case form of oblúk rather than as a separate concept.

See also: oblúk, arc (geometry), arch (architecture), Slovak grammar.