vault

vault

vault¹ [vôlt]

n.

[ME voute < OFr < VL * volvita, an arch, vault < * volvitus, pp. of * volvitare, intens. of L volvere, to turn around, roll: see WALK]

1. an arched roof, ceiling, or covering of masonry

2. an arched chamber or space, esp. when underground

3. a cellar room used for storage, as of wine

4.

a) a burial chamber

b) a concrete or metal enclosure in the ground, into which the casket is lowered at burial

☆ 5. a secure room, often with individual safe-deposit boxes, for the safekeeping of valuables or money, as in a bank

6. an underground cave with a naturally arched roof

7. the sky as a vaultlike canopy

8. Anat. any arched cavity or structure [the cranial vault]

vt.

1. to make a vault over; cover with a vault

2. to build in the form of a vault

vi.

to curve like a vault

vault² [vôlt]

vi.

[MFr volter < OIt voltare < VL * volvitare: see VAULT¹]

to jump, leap, or spring, as over a barrier or from one position to another, esp. with the help of the hands supported on the barrier, etc., or with the aid of a long pole

vt.

to vault over [to vault a fence]

n.

[ VAULT² sense 1 < the v.; VAULT² sense 3 < Fr volte, a turn, bound, leap < It volta < LL * volta: see VAULT¹]

1. an act of vaulting

2. a leap or bound made by a horse

3. Gym. an event in which a gymnast vaults over a HORSE (n. 9) with the help of a springboard

vaulter

n.