vault1
/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[vawlt]
1.
an arched structure, usually made of stones, concrete, or bricks, forming
a ceiling or roof over a hall, room, sewer, or partially enclosed construction.
2. an arched structure resembling a vault.
3. a space, chamber, or passage enclosed by a vault or vaultlike structure,
esp. one located underground.
4. an underground chamber, as a cellar or a division of a cellar.
5. a room or compartment, often built of or lined with steel, reserved
for the storage and safekeeping of valuables, esp. such a place in a bank.
6. a strong metal cabinet, usually fireproof and burglarproof, for the
storage and safekeeping of valuables, important papers, etc.
7. a burial chamber.
8. Anatomy. an arched roof of a cavity.
9. something likened to an arched roof: the vault of heaven.
verb (used with object) 10. to construct or cover with a vault.
11. to make in the form of a vault; arch.
12. to extend or stretch over in the manner of an arch; overarch: An arbor
vaulted the path.
13. to store in a vault: The paintings will be vaulted when the museum
is closed.
[Origin: 130050; (n.)
alter. of ME voute < OF vou(l)te, volte < VL *volvita, for L voluta,
n. use of fem. ptp. of L volvere to turn (see revolve); (v.) alter. of
ME vouten < OF vou(l)ter, volter, deriv. of vou(l)te, volte]