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cylinder

[sil-in-der]
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noun
  1. Geometry. a surface or solid bounded by two parallel planes and generated by a straight line moving parallel to the given planes and tracing a curve bounded by the planes and lying in a plane perpendicular or oblique to the given planes.
  2. any cylinderlike object or part, whether solid or hollow.
  3. the rotating part of a revolver, containing the chambers for the cartridges.
  4. (in a pump) a cylindrical chamber in which a piston slides to move or compress a fluid.
  5. (in an engine) a cylindrical chamber in which the pressure of a gas or liquid moves a sliding piston.
  6. (in certain printing presses)
    1. a rotating cylinder that produces the impression and under which a flat form to be printed from passes.
    2. either of two cylinders, one carrying a curved form or plate to be printed from, that rotate against each other in opposite directions.
  7. (in certain locks) a cylindrical device for retaining the bolt until tumblers have been pushed out of its way.
  8. (in a screw or cylindrical gear) an imaginary cylindrical form, concentric to the axis, defining the pitch or the inner or outer ends of the threads or teeth.
  9. Computers. the tracks of a magnetic disk that are accessible from a single radial position of the access mechanism.
  10. Textiles. the main roller on a carding machine, especially the roller covered with card clothing that works in combination with the worker and stripper rollers in carding fibers.
  11. Archaeology. a cylindrical or somewhat barrel-shaped stone or clay object bearing a cuneiform inscription or a carved design, worn by the Babylonians, Assyrians, and kindred peoples as a seal and amulet.
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verb (used with object)
  1. to furnish with a cylinder or cylinders.
  2. to subject to the action of a cylinder or cylinders.
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Origin of cylinder

1560–70; < Latin cylindrus < Greek kýlindros roller, cylinder, akin to kylíndein to roll
Related formscyl·in·der·like, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

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British Dictionary definitions for cylinder

cylinder

noun
  1. a solid consisting of two parallel planes bounded by identical closed curves, usually circles, that are interconnected at every point by a set of parallel lines, usually perpendicular to the planes. Volume base area × length
  2. a surface formed by a line moving round a closed plane curve at a fixed angle to it
  3. any object shaped like a cylinder
  4. the chamber in a reciprocating internal-combustion engine, pump, or compressor within which the piston movesSee also cylinder block
  5. the rotating mechanism of a revolver, situated behind the barrel and containing cartridge chambers
  6. printing any of the rotating drums on a printing press
  7. Also called: cylinder seal a cylindrical seal of stone, clay, or precious stone decorated with linear designs, found in the Middle East and Balkans: dating from about 6000 bc
  8. Also called: hot-water cylinder British a vertical cylindrical tank for storing hot water, esp an insulated one made of copper used in a domestic hot-water system
  9. firing on all cylinders working or performing at full capability
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verb
  1. (tr) to provide (a system) with cylinders
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Derived Formscylinder-like, adjective

Word Origin

C16: from Latin cylindrus, from Greek kulindros a roller, from kulindein to roll
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for cylinder

n.

1560s, from Middle French cylindre (14c.), from Latin cylindrus "roller, cylinder," from Greek kylindros "a cylinder, roller, roll," from kylindein "to roll," of unknown origin.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
cylinder in Medicine

cylinder

(sĭl′ən-dər)
n.
  1. The surface generated by a straight line intersecting and moving along a closed plane curve, the directrix, while remaining parallel to a fixed straight line that is not on or parallel to the plane of the directrix.
  2. A solid bounded by two parallel planes and such a surface, especially such a surface having a circle as its directrix.
  3. A cylindrical or rodlike renal cast.
  4. A cylindrical lens.
  5. A cylindrical metal container for gases stored under high pressure.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
cylinder in Science

cylinder

[sĭl′ən-dər]
  1. A three-dimensional surface or solid object bounded by a curved surface and two parallel circles of equal size at the ends. The curved surface is formed by all the line segments joining corresponding points of the two parallel circles.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Idioms and Phrases with cylinder

cylinder

see firing on all cylinders.

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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.