Tympanum

['tɪmpənəm]

Definition

(n.) The ear drum, or middle ear. Sometimes applied incorrectly to the tympanic membrane. See Ear.

(n.) A chamber in the anterior part of the syrinx of birds.

(n.) One of the naked, inflatable air sacs on the neck of the prairie chicken and other species of grouse.

(n.) The recessed face of a pediment within the frame made by the upper and lower cornices, being usually a triangular space or table.

(n.) The space within an arch, and above a lintel or a subordinate arch, spanning the opening below the arch.

(n.) A drum-shaped wheel with spirally curved partitions by which water is raised to the axis when the wheel revolves with the lower part of the circumference submerged, -- used for raising water, as for irrigation.

Checked by Lanny

Synonyms and Synonymous

n. Drum (of the ear).

Edited by Kathleen

Definition

n. (anat.) the membrane which separates the external from the internal ear often called the drum of the ear: in certain birds the labyrinth at the bottom of the windpipe: (archit.) the triangular space between sloping and horizontal cornices or in the corners or sides of an arch: the panel of a door: a water-raising current wheel originally drum-shaped.—adjs. Tym′panal Tympan′ic like a drum: pertaining to the tympanum.—n. a bone of the ear supporting the drum-membrane.—adj. Tym′paniform like a tympanum.—ns. Tym′panist one who plays a drum; Tympanī′tēs flatulent distension of the belly.—adj. Tympanit′ic.—ns. Tympanī′tis inflammation of the membrane of the ear; Tym′pany any swelling turgidity: tympanites.—Tympanic membrane the drum-membrane of the ear; Tympanic resonance the peculiar high-pitched quality of sound produced by percussion over the intestines &c. when they contain air; Tympanic ring an annular tympanic bone to which the tympanic membrane is attached.

Typist: Lucinda