pyr|a|mid

pyr|a|mid «PIHR uh mihd», noun, verb.

–n.

1. a solid having triangular sides meeting in a point. The base of a pyramid is a polygon.

2. anything having the form of a pyramid: »

a pyramid of stones, a pyramid of cannonballs.

3. a crystal each of whose faces intersects the vertical axis and one or two of the lateral axes.

4. a) a very large structure built of stone or the like, with sloping sides meeting at a point and, usually, with a square base: »

... the great pyramid of Cholula, the largest and most sacred temple in Mexico (Joseph Gwilt).

b) Usually, the Pyramids. any one of the huge, massive stone pyramids, serving as royal tombs, built by the ancient Egyptians: »

The largest of the Pyramids is the Great Pyramid at Giza, on the west bank of the Nile.

5. Anatomy. a part or structure of more or less pyramidal form: a) a mass of longitudinal nerve fibers on each side of the medla oblongata. b) one of the conical-shaped masses making up the medullary substance of the kidney.

6. Figurative. a pyramidal structure; an organization or hierarchy having the form of a pyramid: »

a pyramid of power, a corporate pyramid. The traditional pyramid, with a small upper class at the top, a somewhat larger middle class immediately below, and a much larger working class at the bottom... (New Scientist).

7. an investment scheme in which each investor buys a position on a pyramid-shaped chart for a sum divided between the investor who preceded him and the one on top of the pyramid: »

More like floating crap games than clubs, pyramids are illegal in most states (Money).

–v.i.

1. to form a pyramid: »

The acrobats pyramided skillfully, one on top of the other.

2. Figurative. to rise to the top or highest point: »

Consumer lending had pyramided since the war (Canada Month).

3. to be arranged in pyramidal form: »

High scorers pyramid to the top, and highest scorer at the end of the final round is declared the winner (New York Times).

4. Finance. to pyramid one's holdings in stocks.

–v.t.

1. to put in the form of a pyramid.

2. Figurative. to raise or increase (as costs or wages) gradually: »

They are pyramiding their costs in their pricing, just as steel is doing (Wall Street Journal).

3. Figurative. to increase (as one's operations or holdings) in buying or selling stock on margin by using the profits to buy or sell more: »

He pyramided his winnings and piled gold on gold…and finally saw himself a millionaire three times over (Percy Marks).

╂[< Latin p, -idis < Greek pís, -ídos]