pyramid
pyra·mid (pir′ə mid)
noun
- any huge structure with a square base and four sloping, triangular sides meeting at the top, as those built by the ancient Egyptians for royal tombs
- an object, formation, structure, or organization shaped like or suggesting a pyramid
- a crystal form in which as many as 12 sloping faces intersect at a point
- Geom. a solid figure having a polygonal base, the sides of which form the bases of triangular surfaces meeting at a common vertex
Etymology: L pyramis (gen. pyramidis) < Gr, pyramid: replaced ME piramis, also < L
intransitive verb, transitive verb
- to build up, mass, or heap in the form of a pyramid
- ☆ to engage in (a series of buying or selling operations) during an upward or downward trend in the stock market, working on margin with the profits made in the transactions
the (Great) Pyramids
the three large pyramids at Gîza, Egypt: the largest is the Pyramid of Khufu
Preposition: of
- biomass: The best approach is to use pyramids of biomass, which include the total mass of living organisms at each trophic level.
Converse of object
- predate: It actually predates the pyramids of Egypt and the current consensus is that it was an astronomical observatory.
- build: Building stone pyramids nevertheless the lowland giant sea fans.
- construct: The Predators gave humans knowledge and taught them how to construct pyramids.
Adjective modifier
- inverted: Are they inverted pyramids, referring to the Egyptian book of the dead?
- non-league: Certainly a player with the talent to keep pace with Wimbledon's ambition to rise through the non-league pyramid.
- truncated: Originally there were probably 15 or 20 of these steep-sided, truncated pyramids around the bay.
- Aztec: From here visit the enticing colonial town of Taxco or the enormous Aztec pyramids at Teotihuacán.
- three-sided: In the full sun they form a three-sided pyramid to prevent excess evaporation.
- Egyptian: The first was the obvious similarity in shape to the early Egyptian pyramids.
Modifies a noun
- selling: For example, pyramid selling schemes are highly disapproved of.
- builder: Mr Walker challenged the quietly held belief that the pyramid builders were not black Africans.
- scam: Ansible 222, " Economics 2.0 pyramid scams " -- a nod to Charles Stross's Accelerando.
- orchid: Pyramid Orchids were frequently seen in the central area known as the Triangle and are common all over the hill.
- scheme: Conduct or forward surveys, contests, pyramid schemes or chain letters.
- shape: The pyramid shape roof design highlights these sheds in a special way.
Noun used with modifier
- summit: The team uses daylight to navigate through the complex summit pyramid above.
- population: Population pyramid - a double bar graph used to show the structure of the population.
- eating: THE HEALTHY EATING PYRAMID: EPIDEMIOLOGY SUPPORTS THE VEGAN DIET.. .
- glass: The glass pyramid entrance is a bold, highly successful modern addition to the Louver.
For too long, society has resembled a pyramid that has been turned upside down and made to rest on its summit. I have replaced it on its base.
What needs my Shakespeare for his honoured bones The labour of an age in pile' d stones, Or that his hallowed relics should be hid Under a star-y-pointing pyramid? Dear son of memory, great heir of fame, What need'st thou such weak witness of thy name? Thou in our wonder and astonishment Hast built thyself a livelong monument.
If the war didn't happen to kill you it was bound to start you thinking. After that unspeakable idiotic mess you couldn't go on regarding society as something eternal and unquestionable, like a pyramid.You knew it was just a balls-up. 628
Browse dictionary entries near pyramid
- pyralid
- pyracantha
- pyr-
- pyosis
- pyorrhea alveolaris
- pyorrhea
- Pyongyang
- pyoid
- pyogenesis
- pyoderma
- pyramid scheme
- pyramiding
- Pyramus and Thisbe
- pyran
- pyrargyrite
- pyre
- pyrene
- Pyrenees
- pyrenoid
- pyrethrin
