tympanum

[tim-puh-nuh m] /ˈtɪm pə nəm/
noun, plural tympanums, tympana
[tim-puh-nuh] /ˈtɪm pə nə/ (Show IPA)
1.
Anatomy, Zoology.
  1. middle ear.
  2. tympanic membrane.
2.
Architecture.
  1. the recessed, usually triangular space enclosed between the horizontal and sloping cornices of a pediment, often decorated with sculpture.
  2. a similar space between an arch and the horizontal head of a door or window below.
3.
Electricity. the diaphragm of a telephone.
4.
a drum or similar instrument.
5.
the stretched membrane forming a drumhead.
Origin
1610-20; < Latin < Greek týmpanon drum, akin to týptein to beat, strike
Examples from the web for tympanum
  • The top third was finished with a jarring pointed blind arch set in the tympanum.
  • Doorframes might whirl up into a tympanum of wood or gilt copper repoussé, richly carved with deities and creatures.
  • The tympanum is a round circle located on the side of the head near the eye, and in males it is much larger than the eye.
  • They are brown to pink in color and are characterized by a dark mask extending from the eye backwards across the tympanum.
  • The portico's entablature features a frieze with arched cutouts and its tympanum boasts a circular window with floral tracery.
  • Males have a tympanum that is larger than their eyes and a yellow throat.
  • The center of the tympanum usually has a distinct white spot.
  • The tympanum of both facades of the central block contain a large lunette window.
  • The tympanum of the north entry is granite, with a small, paneled door beneath it.
  • The pedimented attic area features a raking cornice with a raised triangular panel in the tympanum.
British Dictionary definitions for tympanum

tympanum

/ˈtɪmpənəm/
noun (pl) -nums, -na (-nə)
1.
  1. the cavity of the middle ear
  2. another name for tympanic membrane
2.
any diaphragm resembling that in the middle ear in function
3.
(architect) Also called tympan
  1. the recessed space bounded by the cornices of a pediment, esp one that is triangular in shape and ornamented
  2. the recessed space bounded by an arch and the lintel of a doorway or window below it
4.
(music) a tympan or drum
5.
a scoop wheel for raising water
Word Origin
C17: from Latin, from Greek tumpanon drum; related to Greek tuptein to beat
Word Origin and History for tympanum
n.

"drum of the ear," 1610s, from Medieval Latin tympanum, introduced in this sense by Italian anatomist Gabriello Fallopio (1523-1562), from Latin tympanum "drum," from Greek tympanon "a drum, panel of a door," from root of typtein "to beat, strike" (see type (n.)). Cf. Old English timpan "drum, timbrel, tambourine," from Latin tympanum. The modern meaning "a drum" is attested in English from 1670s.

tympanum in Medicine

tympanum tym·pa·num or tim·pa·num (tĭm'pə-nəm)
n. tym·pa·nums or tym·pa·na (-nə)

  1. See middle ear.

  2. See eardrum.