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cylinder definition

cyl·in·der (sil′ən dər)

noun

  1. Geom.
    1. in geometry, a solid figure consisting of two parallel bases in the form of congruent, closed curves joined by a smooth, continuous, closed surface; specif., such a figure (right circular cylinder) having circular bases and a surface perpendicular to the bases
    2. the surface of such a solid
  2. anything having the shape of a cylinder, whether hollow or solid; specif.,
    1. the turning part of a revolver, containing chambers for cartridges
    2. the chamber in which the piston moves in a reciprocating engine
    3. the barrel of a pump
    4. on a printing press, a roller carrying the printing plates or the part receiving the impression
    5. a large, hollow, cylindrical clay object with cuneiform inscriptions, or a similar small stone worn on the wrist in ancient times in the Middle East

Etymology: Fr cylindre < L cylindrus < Gr kylindros < kylindein, to roll < IE base *(s)kel-, to bend > calcar, colon

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms cylinder idiom

medical cylinder definition - medical

cylinder Synonyms

cylinder

n.

  1. An automobile part

    compression chamber, expansion chamber, machine part, engine part; see automobile.

  2. A geometrical form

    circular solid, barrel, volumetric curve; see solid.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

cylinder Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • tote: Beginning in April, Groovy Girls will introduce girls' funky handbags in four styles classic, tote, cylinder and clutch.

Adjective modifier

  • hydraulic: Hydraulic Pressure Gage Set The pressure gage shows the actual system pressure and therefore the force of the connected hydraulic cylinder.

Modifies a noun

  • mower: The blades on a cylinder mower like a rotary must be kept sharp.

Noun used with modifier

  • propane: The visual impact of the dump of red propane cylinders beside the Hut.
cylinder usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

cylinder quotes

May I repeat what I told you here: treat nature by the cylinder, the sphere, the cone, everything in perspective.

-Ce¤  zanne, Paul

   That vessel in which the powers of steam are to be employed to work the engine, which is called the Cylinder in common fire engines, and which I call the SteamVessel, must, during the whole time the engine is at work, be kept ashot asthesteamthat entersit; first, by enclosing it ina case of wood, oranyother materialsthat transmit heat slowly; secondly, by surrounding it with steam or other heated bodies; and thirdly, by suffering neither water noranyother substance colder thansteam to enter and touch it during that time.

-Watt,James

cylinder quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"cylinder." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/cylinder>

APA Style

cylinder. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/cylinder

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