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

Noun Inflected Forms

• 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

See Examples For:

tympanum tympana tympanums

A fast-rising artist who had been commissioned at a young age to design the tympanum over the central doors of the National Cathedral, Hart was working in a long, historical tradition of realistic representation.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 1, 2017

The ear canal extends inward from the pinna to a circular membrane called the tympanum.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

Why, in my mind’s ear — the invisible tympanum against which every sentence must be tested.

From New York Times ● Nov. 25, 2011

“Mahna Mahna” is as catchy as a song can be, like a fishing hook stuck in your tympanum.

From Slate ● Nov. 23, 2011

Voussoirs were carved to form the arched gables over each of the three front doors and a tympanum — a semicircular sculptured panel — was carved to go above each of the doors.

From "Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction" by David Macaulay

But to be done with it—two shouts that slew an eagle a mile up the sky, must have cracked all the tympana of the two million shouters.

From Recreations of Christopher North, Volume 2 by Wilson, John

I am from hence induc't to be of opinion that these tympana were made according to such and such proportions, suitable to such and such notes.

From The Natural History of Wiltshire by Aubrey, John

The Crucifixion as a subject for representation on such tympana is said to be rare, the Last Judgment being the one usually selected.

From Somerset by Wade, G. W.

The lateral entrances are sheltered by tympana and arches profusely decorated with statuettes.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 1 "Austria, Lower" to "Bacon" by Various

The tympana of these arches above were pierced to north, south, and west by three windows now built up but whose outlines are still visible beneath the whitewash which has been daubed over them.

From Byzantine Churches in Constantinople Their History and Architecture by Van Millingen, Alexander

Last week he had the thrill of seeing his bellowing affect not just the ear of some baffled layman but the tympanums of that knowing politician, the Head of the Democratic Party.

From Time Magazine Archive

Old Boer Senators leaned forward, hand behind ear in order that not one word of the Prince's English should escape their Dutch-hardened tympanums.

From Time Magazine Archive

The masons put together the pieces of the rose window and installed the tympanums and voussoirs over the doors.

From "Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction" by David Macaulay

Various old gables, pilasters, columns, walls, tympanums, and gates have been grouped; and in the eastern part of the garden is the house of the Director of the Museum.

From The Standard Galleries - Holland by Singleton, Esther

The door head consists of three brick arches in relief with stucco tympanums or fillings.

From Virginia Architecture in the Seventeenth Century by Forman, Henry Chandlee