I. ˈvȯlt noun
Etymology: Middle English vaute, voute, from Anglo-French voute, from Vulgar Latin * volvita turn, vault, from feminine of * volvitus, alteration of Latin volutus, past participle of volvere to roll — more at voluble
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : an arched structure of masonry usually forming a ceiling or roof
b. : something (as the sky) resembling a vault
c. : an arched or dome-shaped anatomical structure
the cranial vault
2.
a. : a space covered by an arched structure ; especially : an underground passage or room
b. : an underground storage compartment
c. : a room or compartment for the safekeeping of valuables
3.
a. : a burial chamber
b. : a prefabricated container usually of metal or concrete into which a casket is placed at burial
• vaulty ˈvȯl-tē adjective
[
vault 1a
]
II. transitive verb
Date: 14th century
: to form or cover with or as if with a vault : arch
III. verb
Etymology: Middle French volter, from Old Italian voltare, from Vulgar Latin * volvitare to turn, leap, frequentative of Latin volvere
Date: 1538
intransitive verb
1. : to leap vigorously ; especially : to execute a leap using the hands or a pole
2. : to do or achieve something as if by a leap
vault ed to sudden prominence
transitive verb
: to leap over ; especially : to leap over by or as if by aid of the hands or a pole
IV. noun
Date: 1576
: an act of vaulting : leap