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

The bright banners hanging from the tympanum proclaimed the word.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

The tympana above this is pierced with eighteen windows filled with geometric tracery.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 4 "Aram, Eugene" to "Arcueil" by Various

His figures fill The tympana o'er Santa Croce's gate; In the museum too, his Cain, that stands A left-handed discobolos....

From The Poetical Works of Robert Bridges by Robert Bridges

A more detailed account of these tympana will be found in a following chapter.

From Our Homeland Churches and How to Study Them by Sidney Heath

It is specially to be noticed that all the tympana in the triforium range are differently ornamented.

From The Cathedral Church of Peterborough A Description Of Its Fabric And A Brief History Of The Episcopal See by W. D. (Walter Debenham) Sweeting

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 John Wilson

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

In time of battle soldiers sometimes have their tympanums ruptured by the concussion caused by the firing of cannon.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Walter L. (Walter Lytle) Pyle

Traffic may he obstructed, and tympanums be rent, The noise may torture sufferers with sickness well-nigh spent; But these be merely trifles.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 99, July 12, 1890 by Various