vault 1
— vaultlike , adj.
/vawlt/ , n.
1. an arched structure, usually made of stones, concrete, or bricks, forming a ceiling or roof over a hall, room, sewer, or other wholly or partially enclosed construction.
2. an arched structure resembling a vault.
3. a space, chamber, or passage enclosed by a vault or vaultlike structure, esp. one located underground.
4. an underground chamber, as a cellar or a division of a cellar.
5. a room or compartment, often built of or lined with steel, reserved for the storage and safekeeping of valuables, esp. such a place in a bank.
6. a strong metal cabinet, usually fireproof and burglarproof, for the storage and safekeeping of valuables, important papers, etc.
7. a burial chamber.
8. Anat. an arched roof of a cavity.
9. something likened to an arched roof: the vault of heaven.
v.t.
10. to construct or cover with a vault.
11. to make in the form of a vault; arch.
12. to extend or stretch over in the manner of an arch; overarch: An arbor vaulted the path.
13. to store in a vault: The paintings will be vaulted when the museum is closed.
v.i.
14. to curve or bend in the form of a vault.
[ 1300-50; (n.) alter. of ME voute vou ( l ) te, volte volvita, for L voluta, n. use of fem. ptp. of L volvere to turn (see REVOLVE); (v.) alter. of ME vouten vou ( l ) ter, volter, deriv. of vou ( l ) te, volte ]
vault 2
— vaulter , n.
/vawlt/ , v.i.
1. to leap or spring, as to or from a position or over something: He vaulted over the tennis net.
2. to leap with the hands supported by something, as by a horizontal pole.
3. Gymnastics. to leap over a vaulting or pommel horse, using the hands for pushing off.
4. to arrive at or achieve something as if by a spring or leap: to vault into prominence.
v.t.
5. to leap over: to vault a fence.
6. to cause to leap over or surpass others: Advertising has vaulted the new perfume into first place.
n.
7. the act of vaulting.
8. a leap of a horse; curvet.
9. Gymnastics. a running jump over a vaulting or pommel horse, usually finishing with an acrobatic dismount.
[ 1530-40; volte a turn and volter to turn, respectively volta (n.) and voltare (v.); see VOLT 2 ]
Syn. 1. See jump .