vault

To vault is to leap over something or to leap while you use your hands or a pole to provide you with support and help you leap higher.

(verb)

An example of vault is when you jump over a gate.

The definition of a vault is a secured room or area where valuables are kept.

(noun)

An example of a vault is a bank vault where all the money is stored.

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See vault in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. an arched roof, ceiling, or covering of masonry
  2. an arched chamber or space, esp. when underground
  3. a cellar room used for storage, as of wine
    1. a burial chamber
    2. a concrete or metal enclosure in the ground, into which the casket is lowered at burial
  4. ☆ a secure room, often with individual safe-deposit boxes, for the safekeeping of valuables or money, as in a bank
  5. an underground cave with a naturally arched roof
  6. the sky as a vaultlike canopy
  7. Anat. any arched cavity or structure: the cranial vault

Origin: ME voute < OFr < VL *volvita, an arch, vault < *volvitus, pp. of *volvitare, intens. of L volvere, to turn around, roll: see walk

transitive verb

  1. to make a vault over; cover with a vault
  2. to build in the form of a vault

intransitive verb

to curve like a vault

intransitive verb

to jump, leap, or spring, as over a barrier or from one position to another, esp. with the help of the hands supported on the barrier, etc., or with the aid of a long pole

Origin: MFr volter < OIt voltare < VL *volvitare: see vault

transitive verb

to vault over: to vault a fence

noun

  1. an act of vaulting
  2. a leap or bound made by a horse
  3. Gym. an event in which a gymnast vaults over a horse () with the help of a springboard

Origin: vaultsense < the v.; vaultsense < Fr volte, a turn, bound, leap < It volta < LL *volta: see vault

Related Forms:

See vault in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. a. An arched structure, usually of masonry or concrete, serving to cover a space.
    b. An arched overhead covering, such as the sky, that resembles the architectural structure in form.
  2. A room or space, such as a cellar or storeroom, with arched walls and ceiling, especially when underground.
  3. A room or compartment, often built of steel, for the safekeeping of valuables: a bank vault.
  4. A burial chamber, especially when underground.
  5. Anatomy An arched part of the body, especially the top part of the skull.
transitive verb vault·ed, vault·ing, vaults
  1. To construct or supply with an arched ceiling; cover with a vault.
  2. To build or make in the shape of a vault; arch.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English vaute

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Vulgar Latin *volvita, volta

Origin: , from feminine of *volvitus, arched

Origin: , alteration of Latin volūtus

Origin: , past participle of volvere, to roll; see wel-2 in Indo-European roots

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(click for a larger image)

vault1

top to bottom: barrel, groin, and rib vaults

verb vault·ed, vault·ing, vaults
verb, transitive
To jump or leap over, especially with the aid of a support such as the hands or a pole.
verb, intransitive
  1. To jump or leap, especially with the use of the hands or a pole.
  2. To accomplish something as if by leaping suddenly or vigorously: vaulted into a position of wealth.
noun
The act of vaulting; a jump.

Origin:

Origin: Obsolete French volter

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Old Italian voltare

Origin: , from Vulgar Latin *volvitāre

Origin: , frequentative of Latin volvere, to turn, roll; see wel-2 in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • vaultˈer noun

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