tympanum

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: tym=pa=num

CIDE DICTIONARY

tympanum, n. [L., a kettledrum, a drum or wheel in machines, the triangular area in a pediment, the panel of a door, Gr. ty`mpanon, ty`panon, fr. to strike, beat. See Type, and cf. Timbrel.].

•  The ear drum, or middle ear. Sometimes applied incorrectly to the tympanic membrane. See Ear.  [1913 Webster]
•  One of the naked, inflatable air sacs on the neck of the prairie chicken and other species of grouse.  [1913 Webster]
•  The recessed face of a pediment within the frame made by the upper and lower cornices, being usually a triangular space or table.  [1913 Webster]
•  A drum-shaped wheel with spirally curved partitions by which water is raised to the axis when the wheel revolves with the lower part of the circumference submerged, -- used for raising water, as for irrigation.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

tympanum, n. (pl. tympanums or tympana)
1 Anat. a the middle ear. b the tympanic membrane.
2 Zool. the membrane covering the hearing organ on the leg of an insect.
3 Archit. a a vertical triangular space forming the centre of a pediment. b a similar space over a door between the lintel and the arch; a carving on this space.
4 a drum-wheel etc. for raising water from a stream.

Etymology

L f. Gk tumpanon drum f. tupto strike

THESAURUS

tympanum

Eustachian tube, allantoic membrane, amnion, amniotic sac, anvil, arachnoid membrane, auditory apparatus, auditory canal, auditory meatus, auditory nerve, auditory ossicles, auditory tube, auricle, basement membrane, basilar membrane, bongo drum, bony labyrinth, cauliflower ear, cochlea, conch, concha, conga, conjuctiva, drum, drumhead, drumskin, drumstick, ear, ear lobe, eardrum, endolymph, external ear, hammer, hymen, incus, inner ear, jazz stick, kettle, kettledrum, lobe, lobule, lug, maidenhead, malleus, mastoid process, membrana serosa, membrana tympana, membrane, membranophone, meninges, meninx, middle ear, neurilemma, organ of Corti, outer ear, oval window, pellicle, pericardium, perilymph, perineurium, pinna, pleura, round window, secondary eardrum, semicircular canals, serosa, shell, side drum, snare, snare drum, stapes, stirrup, tabor, taboret, tabret, tam-tam, tambourine, tenor drum, timbrel, timpani, tom-tom, troll-drum, tymp stick, tympan, tympanic cavity, tympanic membrane, tympanon, velum, vestibule, war drum

ROGET THESAURUS

tympanum

Summit

N summit, summity, top, peak, vertex, apex, zenith, pinnacle, acme, culmination, meridian, utmost height, ne plus utra, height, pitch, maximum, climax, culminating point, crowning point, turning point, turn of the tide, fountain head, water shed, water parting, sky, pole, tip, tip top, crest, crow's nest, cap, truck, nib, end, crown, brow, head, nob, noddle, pate, capsheaf, high places, heights, topgallant mast, sky scraper, quarter deck, hurricane deck, architrave, frieze, cornice, coping stone, zoophorus, capital, epistyle, sconce, pediment, entablature, tympanum, ceiling, attic, loft, garret, house top, upper story, summit conference, summit, peak of achievement, peak of performance, peaks and troughs, peaks and valleys (in graphs), highest &c (high), top, top most, upper most, tiptop, culminating, meridian, meridional, capital, head, polar, supreme, supernal, topgallant, atop, at the top of the tree, en flute, fleur deau.

Hearing

N hearing, audition, auscultation, eavesdropping, audibility, acute ear, nice ear, delicate ear, quick ear, sharp ear, correct ear, musical ear, ear for music, ear, auricle, lug, acoustic organs, auditory apparatus, eardrum, tympanum, tympanic membrane, ear trumpet, speaking trumpet, hearing aid, stethoscope, earshot, hearing distance, hearing, hearing range, sound, carrying distance, telephone, phone, telephone booth, intercom, house phone, radiotelephone, radiophone, wireless, wireless telephone, mobile telephone, car radio, police radio, two-way radio, walkie-talkie, handie-talkie, citizen's band, CB, amateur radio, ham radio, short-wave radio, police band, ship-to-shore radio, airplane radio, control tower communication, (communication), electronic devices, phonograph, gramophone, megaphone, phonorganon, microphone, directional microphone, mike, hand mike, lapel microphone, phonograph needle, stylus, diamond stylus, pickup, reading head (electronic devices), hearer, auditor, listener, eavesdropper, listener-in, auditory, audience, otology, otorhinolaryngology, otologist, otorhinolaryngologist, hearing, auditory, auricular, acoustic, phonic, arrectis auribus, Int, hark, hark ye!, hear!, list, listen!, O yes!, Oyez!, listen up, listen here!, hear ye!, attention!, achtung.