n. & v.
n. 1 a an arched roof. b a continuous arch. c a set or series of arches whose joints radiate from a central point or line. 2 a vaultlike covering (the vault of heaven). 3 an underground chamber: a as a place of storage (bank vaults). b as a place of interment beneath a church or in a cemetery etc. (family vault). 4 an act of vaulting. 5 Anat. the arched roof of a cavity.
v. 1 intr. leap or spring, esp. while resting on one or both hands or with the help of a pole. 2 tr. spring over (a gate etc.) in this way. 3 tr. (esp. as vaulted) a make in the form of a vault. b provide with a vault or vaults. vaulter n.
[ OF voute, vaute, ult. f. L volvere roll ]