ˈsēliŋ, -ēŋ noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English celing, from celen to ceil + -ing — more at ceil
1.
a. obsolete : woodwork lining the roof or walls of a room : wainscoting
b. obsolete : a wall hanging or tapestry
c. : the overhead inside lining of a room : the underside of the floor above
d. : planking that lines the inside and bottom of a wooden ship or that covers the inner bottom of a steel ship — see ship illustration
e. : material used to ceil a wall or roof of a room ; especially : narrow beaded matchboards used for wainscoting
f. : an uppermost surface of a cavity or chamber
2. : something thought of as an overhanging shelter or lofty canopy
above the gulls was a ceiling of terns — Llewellyn Howland
an incredible ceiling of stars — M.P.O'Connor
3.
a. : the height above the ground from which prominent objects on the ground can be seen and identified
b. : the height above the ground of the base of the lowest layer of clouds when over half of the sky is obscured
4.
a. : absolute ceiling
b. : service ceiling
5. : the maximum height to which a projectile rises upon being fired from a gun
6. or ceiling frame : a canvas-covered frame suspended horizontally over a theater set to close it off on top
7.
a. : an upper limit imposed by an authoritative ruling above which a particular quantity or rate is not to be allowed to rise
a ceiling on prices, wages, rents, profits, new construction
asking Congress to raise the debt ceiling
a 4-million manpower ceiling on the armed forces
b. : an uppermost limit determined by conditions and circumstances of a particular situation
the speed ceiling of a helicopter
c. : a top level determined by economic factors
today's stock market averages broke through all previous ceilings
d. : any deliberately prescribed limit on increase in amount or quantity
e. : a barrier against potential rise in status or prestige
f. : an upper limit of ability or capability
a low ceiling of tolerance