Ceiling
['siːlɪŋ] or ['silɪŋ]
Definition
(noun.) the overhead upper surface of a covered space; 'he hated painting the ceiling'.
(noun.) (meteorology) altitude of the lowest layer of clouds.
(noun.) maximum altitude at which a plane can fly (under specified conditions).
(noun.) an upper limit on what is allowed; 'he put a ceiling on the number of women who worked for him'; 'there was a roof on salaries'; 'they established a cap for prices'.
Edited by Laurence--From WordNet
Definition
(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Ceil
(v. t.) The inside lining of a room overhead; the under side of the floor above; the upper surface opposite to the floor.
(v. t.) The lining or finishing of any wall or other surface, with plaster, thin boards, etc.; also, the work when done.
(v. t.) The inner planking of a vessel.
Typist: Moira
Examples
- The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
- The curtain drew up--shrivelled to the ceiling: the bright lights, the long room, the gay throng, burst upon us. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- There is a layer of felt nailed to the sides, ceiling, and floor of the room, and on this is nailed the sheet iron. William K. David. Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians.
- I watched them settle on the ceiling. Ernest Hemingway. A Farewell To Arms.
- The moon began to rise, and I thought of the placid look at the white ceiling, which had passed away. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- Very small, very low in the ceiling, very poorly furnished--but, oh, so neat! Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- The wigged gentleman sitting opposite, still looking at the ceiling of the court. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- For many years the persistent Roman has been pointing, with no particular meaning, from that ceiling. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- He fell silent; and after looking about the ceiling again for a little while, looked down at her. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
- Bedroom fires blaze brightly all over the house, raising ghosts of grim furniture on wall and ceiling. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Here and there polished surfaces of ruby, emerald, and diamond patched the golden walls and ceiling. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- No; moonlight was still, and this stirred; while I gazed, it glided up to the ceiling and quivered over my head. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- Everybody present, except the one wigged gentleman who looked at the ceiling, stared at him. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- Mr. Jobling, Mr. Guppy, and Mr. Smallweed all lean their elbows on the table and their chins upon their hands, and look at the ceiling. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Even the floors and ceilings cost a princely fortune. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- The plaster of the parlour ceilings, the paper on the walls, the curtains, carpets, chairs, are still the same. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Another department of about twenty-five men does nothing but paint the walls and ceilings of the factory, keeping everything fresh and clean. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- These many advantages, combined with lofty ceilings on every floor, provide ideal conditions for the thousands of working people engaged in this immense plant. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
Checker: Thelma