Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Ark \Ark\, n. [OE. ark, arke, arche, AS. arc, earc, earce, fr.
   L. arca, fr. arcere to inclose, keep off; akin to Gr. ? to
   keep off.]
   1. A chest, or coffer. [Obs.]

            Bearing that precious relic in an ark. --Spenser.

   2. (Jewish Hist.) The oblong chest of acacia wood, overlaid
      with gold, which supported the mercy seat with its golden
      cherubs, and occupied the most sacred place in the
      sanctuary. In it Moses placed the two tables of stone
      containing the ten commandments. Called also the {Ark of
      the Covenant}.

   3. The large, chestlike vessel in which Noah and his family
      were preserved during the Deluge. --Gen. vi. Hence: Any
      place of refuge.

   4. A large flatboat used on Western American rivers to
      transport produce to market.

Source : WordNet®

Ark
     n 1: (Judaism) sacred chest where the ancient Hebrews kept the
          two tablets containing the Ten Commandments [syn: {Ark
          of the Covenant}]
     2: a boat built by Noah to save his family and animals from the
        Flood