Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

archi|tec|tur|al /ɑː ^r k I te ktʃərəl/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Architectural means relating to the design and construction of buildings. □  …Italy's architectural heritage. □  …the unique architectural style of towns like Lamu. ●  archi|tec|tur|al|ly ADV [ADV adj] □  The old city centre is architecturally rich.

archi|tec|ture /ɑː ^r k I tektʃə ^r / (architectures )

1 N‑UNCOUNT Architecture is the art of planning, designing, and constructing buildings. □  He studied classical architecture and design in Rome.

2 N‑UNCOUNT The architecture of a building is the style in which it is designed and constructed. □  …a fine example of Moroccan architecture.

3 N‑UNCOUNT The architecture of something is its structure. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the crumbling intellectual architecture of modern society.

ar|chiv|al /ɑː ^r ka I v ^ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Archival means belonging or relating to archives. □  …his extensive use of archival material.

ar|chive /ɑː ^r ka I v/ (archives )

1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The archive or archives are a collection of documents and records that contain historical information. You can also use archives to refer to the place where archives are stored. □  …the archives of the Imperial War Museum.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Archive material is information that comes from archives. □  …pieces of archive film.

archi|vist /ɑː ^r k I v I st/ (archivists ) N‑COUNT An archivist is a person whose job is to collect, sort, and care for historical documents and records.

arch|way /ɑː ^r tʃwe I / (archways ) N‑COUNT An archway is a passage or entrance that has a curved roof. □  Access was via a narrow archway.

a rc light (arc lights ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Arc lights are a type of very bright electric light. □  …the brilliant glare of the arc lights.

arc|tic /ɑː ^r kt I k/

1 N‑PROPER The Arctic is the area of the world around the North Pole. It is extremely cold and there is very little light in winter and very little darkness in summer. □  …winter in the Arctic. □  …Arctic ice.

2 ADJ If you describe a place or the weather as arctic , you are emphasizing that it is extremely cold. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □  The bathroom, with its ancient facilities, is positively arctic.

A rc|tic Ci rcle N‑PROPER The Arctic Circle is an imaginary line drawn around the northern part of the world at approximately 66° North.

ar|dent /ɑː ^r d ^ə nt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Ardent is used to describe someone who has extremely strong feelings about something or someone. □  He's been one of the most ardent supporters of the administration's policy.

ar|dor /ɑː ^r də ^r / → see ardour

ar|dour /ɑː ^r də ^r / in AM, use ardor N‑UNCOUNT Ardour is a strong, intense feeling of love or enthusiasm for someone or something. [LITERARY ] □  …songs of genuine passion and ardour.

ar|du|ous /ɑː ^r dʒuəs/ ADJ Something that is arduous is difficult and tiring, and involves a lot of effort. □  The task was more arduous than he had calculated.

are /ə ^r , STRONG ɑː ^r / Are is the plural and the second person singular of the present tense of the verb be . Are is often shortened to -'re after pronouns in spoken English.

area ◆◆◆ /eə riə/ (areas )

1 N‑COUNT An area is a particular part of a town, a country, a region, or the world. □  …the large number of community groups in the area. □  She works in a rural area off the beaten track.

2 N‑COUNT Your area is the part of a town, country, or region where you live. An organization's area is the part of a town, country, or region that it is responsible for. □  Local authorities have been responsible for the running of schools in their areas. □  If there is an election in your area, you should go and vote.