n. 1 a a uniform solid or hollow body with straight sides and a circular section. b a thing of this shape, e.g. a container for liquefied gas. 2 a cylinder-shaped part of various machines, esp. a piston-chamber in an engine. 3 Printing a metal roller. cylinder saw = crown saw. cylinder seal Antiq. a small barrel-shaped object of stone or baked clay bearing a cuneiform inscription, esp. for use as a seal. cylindrical adj. cylindrically adv.
[ L cylindrus f. Gk kulindros f. kulindo roll ]