Researchers uncover something curved (4)

I believe the answer is:

arch

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'something curved' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'researchers uncover' is the wordplay.
'uncover' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (I've seen 'uncovered' mean this).
'ARCH' is hidden within 'researchers'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for arch that I've seen before include "Affectedly playful (4)" , "Affectedly playful like senior angel" , "spanner" , "Curved spanning structure" , "which may fall and inconvenience walkers" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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