vault´like´

vault¹ «vawlt», noun, verb.

–n.

1. a) an arched masonry or concrete structure built so that the parts support each other, serving as a roof or covering over a space; series of arches. b) an arched roof or ceiling. c) Figurative. something like an arched roof, especially the sky: »

Heaven's ebon vault, Studded with stars (Shelley).

2. an underground cellar or storehouse: »

He went into the inner vault where he kept his choicest wines (Samuel Butler).

3. a place for storing valuable things and keeping them safe. Vaults are often made of steel. »

A paper currency is employed when there is no bullion in the vaults (Emerson).

4. a) an arched space under the floor of a church; crypt. b) a place for burial: »

to be buried in the family vault.

5. a natural cavern or cave.

6. Anatomy. an arched structure, especially the skull.

–v.t.

1. to make in the form of a vault: »

The roof was vaulted.

2. Figurative. to set or extend like a vault: »

Hateful is the dark-blue sky Vaulted o'er the dark-blue sea (Tennyson).

3. to cover with a vault.

╂[< Old French voulte, vaulte < Vulgar Latin volvita, noun use of volvitus, for Latin volūtus, feminine past participle of volvere to roll]

–vault´like´, adjective.

vault² «vawlt», verb, noun.

–v.t.

1. to jump or leap over by using a pole or the hands: »

He vaulted the fence.

2. to mount (a horse) by leaping.

–v.i.

to jump or leap: »

He vaulted over the wall.

–n.

1. the act of vaulting; jump; leap.

2. the leap of a horse in the manège; curvet.

╂[alteration (influenced by vault¹) of Middle French volter < Old French < Italian voltare < volta < Vulgar Latin volvita; see etym. under vault¹ (Cf. ↑vault)]

–vault|er, noun.