tympanum

tym·pa·num

also tim·pa·num (tĭm′pə-nəm)

n. pl. tym·pa·na (-nə) or tym·pa·nums also tim·pa·na or tim·pa·nums

1.

a. Anatomy See middle ear.

b. See eardrum.

2. Zoology A membranous external auditory structure, as in certain insects.

3. Architecture

a. The ornamental recessed space or panel enclosed by the cornices of a triangular pediment.

b. A similar space between an arch and the lintel of a portal or window.

4. The diaphragm of a telephone.

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[Medieval Latin, from Latin, drum, from Greek tumpanon.]

tympanum

(ˈtɪmpənəm)

n, pl -nums or -na (-nə)

1. (Anatomy) anatomy

a. the cavity of the middle ear

b. another name for tympanic membrane

2. (Zoology) any diaphragm resembling that in the middle ear in function

3. (Architecture) architect

a. the recessed space bounded by the cornices of a pediment, esp one that is triangular in shape and ornamented

b. the recessed space bounded by an arch and the lintel of a doorway or window below it

4. (Instruments) music a tympan or drum

5. (Mechanical Engineering) a scoop wheel for raising water

[C17: from Latin, from Greek tumpanon drum; related to Greek tuptein to beat]

tym•pa•num

(ˈtɪm pə nəm)

n., pl. -nums, -na (-nə).

1.

a. middle ear.

b. eardrum.

2.

a. the recessed, usu. triangular space enclosed between the horizontal and sloping cornices of a pediment, often decorated with sculpture.

b. a similar space between an arch and the horizontal head of a door or window below.

3. (in certain insects) a drumlike vibrating structure in the body wall, functioning as a hearing organ.

4. the diaphragm of a telephone.

5. a drum or similar instrument.

[1610–20; < Latin < Greek týmpanon drum, akin to týptein to beat, strike]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	tympanum - the main cavity of the ear; between the eardrum and the inner ear middle ear, tympanic cavity bonelet, ossicle, ossiculum - a small bone; especially one in the middle ear auditory apparatus - all of the components of the organ of hearing including the outer and middle and inner ears bodily cavity, cavum, cavity - (anatomy) a natural hollow or sinus within the body auditory tube, Eustachian tube - either of the paired tubes connecting the middle ears to the nasopharynx; equalizes air pressure on the two sides of the eardrum malleus, hammer - the ossicle attached to the eardrum incus, anvil - the ossicle between the malleus and the stapes stapes, stirrup - the stirrup-shaped ossicle that transmits sound from the incus to the cochlea
	2.	tympanum - the membrane in the ear that vibrates to sound eardrum, myringa, tympanic membrane ear - the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium perforated eardrum - an eardrum with a hole or tear in it; can interfere with normal hearing and cause other ear problems umbo - a slight rounded elevation where the malleus attaches to the eardrum tissue layer, membrane - a pliable sheet of tissue that covers or lines or connects the organs or cells of animals or plants
	3.	tympanum - a large hemispherical brass or copper percussion instrument with a drumhead that can be tuned by adjusting the tension on it kettledrum, timpani, tympani, kettle percussion instrument, percussive instrument - a musical instrument in which the sound is produced by one object striking another

Translations

tympaanitympanon

timpano

tympanum

[ˈtɪmpənəm] N (tympanums, tympana (pl)) (Anat, Archit) → tímpano m

tympanum

n (Anat: = membrane) → Trommelfell nt, → Tympanum nt (spec); (= middle ear) → Mittelohr nt; (Archit) → Tympanon nt

tympanum

[ˈtɪmpənəm] n (Anat, Archit) → timpano

tym·pa·num

n. tímpano, oído medio.