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vault¹ Definition

vault (vôlt)

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
  5. ☆ a secure room, often with individual safe-deposit boxes, for the safekeeping of valuables or money, as in a bank
  6. an underground cave with a naturally arched roof
  7. the sky as a vaultlike canopy
  8. Anat. any arched cavity or structure the cranial vault

Etymology: 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

vault² Definition

vault (vôlt)

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

Etymology: 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

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

vault² Related Forms

vault′er noun

vault Synonyms

vault

n.

  1. A place for the dead

    tomb, crypt, grave, sepulcher, ossuary, catacomb, pit, tumulus, mound, barrow, cenotaph; see also monument 1.

  2. A place for preserving valuables

    safe-deposit box, strongroom, bank vault, time vault, time capsule, safe, burglar-proof safe.

vault Synonyms

vault

v.

leap over, hurdle, clear, bound, spring, jump, mount, pole-vault.

vault Usage Examples

Object

  • ceiling: The lounge has a vaulted ceiling with stripped beams.
  • cellar: The remains are now no more than a triangular building platform, with a sand stone arch leading into a vaulted cellar.
  • undercroft: Underneath the chapel is a 13 th century vaulted undercroft.
  • crypt: Under the chapel is a vaulted crypt, probably built for a charnel, the position being a usual one.
  • roof: The first floor consists of a large open plan office area with an open vaulted timber roof.
  • basement: Vaulted basement with gun loops either side of gateway remains.

Converse of object

  • groin: Craig's square entrance vestibule has a ribbed and groined vault with the royal arms in the center.
  • rib: A cathedral hull, moss vault ribbed with flying buttresses.

Adjective modifier

  • subterranean: RSA Historic central London house with unusual banqueting rooms and subterranean vaults, licensed for civil weddings.
  • cranial: The large cranial vault is an expression of the inwardness out of which we can act.
  • arched: Below the inside of the northernmost tip of the fortifications there is an arched vault.
  • haunted: Hear about our legendary haunted vaults, home of the notorious, violent and misogynistic South Bridge Poltergeist.
  • sealed: Sealed burial vaults below the chapel are thought to contain the remains of ten Barons of Rosslyn in their full armor.
  • underground: It's top secret plans are stored in an underground vault at the Aeronautical Research Station.

Preposition: with

clearance: Sarah Williams was third in the pole vault with a clearance of 2.75m and the same position in the high jump with 1.3m.

Noun used with modifier

  • pole: John also won the pole vault B in which veteran Dave Orchard was second in the A string event.
  • lierne: The three entrance porches at ground level have paneled sides and lierne vaults.
  • barrel: The interior has a large barrel vault with a gothic organ case.
  • burial: Sealed burial vaults below the chapel are thought to contain the remains of ten Barons of Rosslyn in their full armor.
  • rib: The main part of the church had wooden rib vaults and circular piers.