[cu.po.la] n [It, fr. L cupula, dim. of cupa tub] (1549) 1 a: a rounded vault resting on a usu. circular base and forming a roof or a ceiling b: a small structure built on top of a roof
2: a vertical cylindrical furnace for melting iron in the foundry that has tuyeres and tapping spouts near the bottom
3: a raised observation post in the roof of a railroad caboose -- cu.po.laed adj