dome

[dohm] /doʊm/
noun
1.
Architecture.
  1. a vault, having a circular plan and usually in the form of a portion of a sphere, so constructed as to exert an equal thrust in all directions.
  2. a domical roof or ceiling.
  3. a polygonal vault, ceiling, or roof.
2.
any covering thought to resemble the hemispherical vault of a building or room:
the great dome of the sky.
3.
anything shaped like a hemisphere or inverted bowl.
4.
(in a dam) a semidome having its convex surface toward the impounded water.
5.
Crystallography. a form having planes that intersect the vertical axis and are parallel to one of the lateral axes.
6.
Geology, upwarp.
7.
Also called vistadome. Railroads. a raised, glass-enclosed section of the roof of a passenger car, placed over an elevated section of seats to afford passengers a full view of scenery.
8.
Horology. an inner cover for the works of a watch, which snaps into the rim of the case.
9.
a mountain peak having a rounded summit.
10.
Slang. a person's head:
I wish I could get the idea into that thick dome of yours.
verb (used with object), domed, doming.
11.
to cover with or as if with a dome.
12.
to shape like a dome.
verb (used without object), domed, doming.
13.
to rise or swell as a dome.
Origin
1505-15; < Middle French dome < Italian duomo < Medieval Latin domus (Deī) house (of God), church; akin to timber
Related forms
domelike, adjective
Examples from the web for dome
  • The other is the dazzling golden dome that commands the sky-line.
  • By comparing one model to another, the scientists are able to keep tabs on how fast the lava dome is growing.
  • Under the dome of fading sky, the river cuts a twisting avenue through the forest.
  • Paula loved a particular spot where the trees form a dome over a pond.
  • Helens, its second dome visible, is being shaken constantly by earthquakes.
  • It includes the world's largest wooden dome structure.
  • There's more than enough minerals on the sea floor to build a proper sized dome.
  • Using a dome construction that allows the water to ride over the building is another.
  • The two main theories are that it is the result of an asteroid impact or a rising layer of salt known as a salt dome.
  • The convection dome lies directly on top of the pan and its lid.
British Dictionary definitions for dome

dome

/dəʊm/
noun
1.
a hemispherical roof or vault or a structure of similar form
2.
something shaped like this
3.
(crystallog) a crystal form in which two planes intersect along an edge parallel to a lateral axis
4.
a slang word for the head
5.
(geology)
  1. a structure in which rock layers slope away in all directions from a central point
  2. another name for pericline (sense 2)
verb (transitive)
6.
to cover with or as if with a dome
7.
to shape like a dome
Derived Forms
domelike, adjective
domical (ˈdəʊmɪkəl; ˈdɒm-) adjective
Word Origin
C16: from French, from Italian duomo cathedral, from Latin domus house
Word Origin and History for dome
n.

"round, vaulted roof," 1650s, from French dome (16c.), from Provençal doma, from Greek doma "house, housetop" (especially a style of roof from the east), related to domos "house" (see domestic).

In the Middle Ages, German dom and Italian duomo were used for "cathedral" (on the notion of "God's house"), so English began to use this word in the sense "cupola," an architectural feature characteristic of Italian cathedrals. Used in U.S. also with reference to round summits of mountains.

dome in Science
dome
  (dōm)   

  1. A circular or elliptical area of uplifted rock in which the rock dips gently away, in all directions, from a central point.

  2. A wedge-shaped mineral crystal that has two nonparallel, similarly inclined faces that intersect along a plane of symmetry.


Slang definitions & phrases for dome

dome

noun

The head: But when the messenger's got a gat pointed at your dome, what are you gonna do? (1880s+)

Related Terms

marble-dome