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

If we did not have the malleus and the incus, then the vibrations of the tympanum would never reach the inner ear.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

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

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

From Slate ● Nov. 23, 2011

In some of these species this anatomy creates a direct mechanical link between the gas bladder and inner ear, analogous to the human tympanum, or eardrum.

From New York Times ● Jun. 13, 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

Where the church enrichments consist, as on the Byzantine basilicas, of panellings, arcades, and tympana of gilded sculpture in wood or stone, with figures of saints, the pages of the Gospel-book bear similar designs.

From Illuminated Manuscripts by Bradley, John William

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

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

Later examples of plaster work of Byzantine tradition are to be found at Cividale, and at Sant' Ambrogio, Milan, where the tympana of the well-known baldachin are of this material, and contain modelled figures.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 4 "Bulgaria" to "Calgary" by Various

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

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

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

But if the statues are interesting, the sculpture of the archivolts and the personages and scenes carved on the fields of the tympanums far surpass them.

From Cathedrals of Spain by John A.

He reported only what had been registered on the sensitive tympanums of his ears, to the last whisper of footfalls stealing past the dark wall of the shop.

From O. Henry Memorial Award Prize Stories of 1920 by Various