tympanum

American  

[tim-puh-nuhm] / ˈtɪm pə nəm /

noun

tympanums, plural tympana plural

1. Anatomy, Zoology.

   1. middle ear.

   2. tympanic membrane.

2. Architecture.

   1. the recessed, usually triangular space enclosed between the horizontal and sloping cornices of a pediment, often decorated with sculpture.

   2. a similar space between an arch and the horizontal head of a door or window below.

3. Electricity. the diaphragm of a telephone.

4. a drum or similar instrument.

5. the stretched membrane forming a drumhead.

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tympanum British  

/ ˈtɪmpənəm /

noun

1. 1. the cavity of the middle ear

   2. another name for tympanic membrane

2. any diaphragm resembling that in the middle ear in function

3. Also called: tympan.  architect

   1. the recessed space bounded by the cornices of a pediment, esp one that is triangular in shape and ornamented

   2. the recessed space bounded by an arch and the lintel of a doorway or window below it

4. music a tympan or drum

5. a scoop wheel for raising water

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• tympana
  plural
• tympanums
  plural

Etymology

Origin of tympanum

1610–20; < Latin < Greek týmpanon drum, akin to týptein to beat, strike

Explanation

A tympanum is the ear cavity or eardrum of certain animals. You can also refer to your eardrum as a tympanum — or to be really fancy you can call it a tympanic membrane. It's more common to use tympanum to talk about an insect's or amphibian's ear rather than to use the word to refer to a human eardrum. In ancient Greece and Rome, a tympanum was a small, hand-held drum, similar to a tambourine. The Greek version of the word was tympanon, from the root typtein, "to beat or strike."

Example Sentences

Tympanum group in the doorway - Ralph Stackpole Groups of men and women in the lunette of the ornate doorway on the south side.

From The Art of the Exposition by Neuhaus, Eugen

Tympanum distinct, its diameter half that of eye.

From Descriptions of New Hylid Frogs From Mexico and Central America by Duellman, William E.

I trust Tympanum will not test this in his own person, by taking the place of the man in Balbus' Essay!

From A Tangled Tale by Frost, A. B. (Arthur Burdett)

Geranium, 8. habet Tympanum, cui inambulans quis extrahit pondera navi, aut demittit in navem.

From The Orbis Pictus by Hoole, Charles

You may find the whole story sculptured on the Tympanum of the exquisite northern door of Notre Dame in Paris.

From Avril Being Essays on the Poetry of the French Renaissance by Belloc, Hilaire