TYMPANUM

Tympanum

In architecture, a tympanum is the semi-circular or triangular decorative wall surface over an entrance, bounded by a lintel and arch. It often contains sculpture or other imagery or ornaments. Most architectural styles include this element.

The above text is a snippet from Wikipedia: Tympanum (architecture)
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tympanum

Noun

  1. A triangular space between the sides of a pediment.
  2. The space within an arch, and above a lintel or a subordinate arch, spanning the opening below the arch.
  3. The middle ear.
  4. The eardrum.
  5. A hearing organ in frogs, toads and some insects.
  6. A drum-shaped wheel with spirally curved partitions by which water is raised to the axis when the wheel revolves with the lower part of the circumference submerged; used for raising water, as for irrigation.


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: tympanum
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

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