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tympan

(tim′pən)

noun

Obsolete a drum
the paper, cardboard, etc. stretched over the platen or impression cylinder of a printing press to cushion the paper being printed and equalize type pressure
any membranelike part
Archit. tympanum

Origin: ME < OE timpana & OFr tympan < L tympanum < Gr tympanon, a drum, area of a pediment, panel of a door < typtein, to strike, beat < IE *(s)teup-, to strike > steep

See tympan in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Printing A padding, as of paper or cloth, placed over the platen of a press to regulate the pressure on the sheet being printed.
Architecture A tympanum.
A tightly stretched sheet or membrane, as on the head of a drum.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English timpan, drum

Origin: , from Old English timpana

Origin: , from Latin tympanum

Origin: , from Greek tumpanon

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