Cylinder definition
An example of cylinder is a can of tomato soup.
When the two-dimensional curve is a circle, the cylinder is called a circular cylinder. When the axis is perpendicular to the plane of the curve, the cylinder is called a right cylinder. In non-mathematical usage, both right and circular are usually implied.
- The turning part of a revolver, containing chambers for cartridges.
- The chamber in which the piston moves in a reciprocating engine.
- The barrel of a pump.
- On a printing press, a roller carrying the printing plates or the part receiving the impression.
- 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.
Other Word Forms
Noun
Origin of cylinder
- Latin cylindrus from Greek kulindros from kulindein to roll
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Middle French cylindre, from Latin cylindrus, from Ancient Greek κύλινδρος (kulindros).
From Wiktionary