Webster's English Dictionary

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ark

ark \'a:rk\ n [ME, fr. OE arc; akin to OHG arahha ark; both fr. a 
   prehistoric Gmc] word borrowed fr. L arca chest; akin to L arce-re to hold 
   off, defend, Gk arkein 1a: a boat or ship held to resemble that in which 
   Noah and his family were preserved from the Deluge 1b: something that 
   affords protection and safety  2a: the sacred chest in which the ancient 
   Hebrews kept the two tablets of the Law 2b: a repository traditionally in 
   or against the wall of a synagogue for the scrolls of the Torah