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tympanum
tympanum . In architecture, the triangular space of a pediment , or low-pitched gable, above a portico, door, or window. Its boundaries are generally cornice moldings. The term also designates the solid wall space above an arched window or door. Sculptured tympana of this type, within round or pointed arches, occurred above the doors of the recessed portals in the medieval churches. They were universal in both Romanesque and Gothic periods, and were especially fine in France. The usual subjects are biblical and symbolic, often arranged in horizontal tiers with numerous figures to illustrate a complete legend. Over the central doorway of Notre-Dame de Paris is a depiction of the Last Judgment. In Italy tympana were sometimes decorated with mosaic or fresco. |
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"tympanum." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "tympanum." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-tympanum.html "tympanum." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-tympanum.html |
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tympanum
tym·pa·num / ˈtimpənəm/ • n. (pl. -nums or -na / -nə/ ) 1. Anat. & Zool. the tympanic membrane or eardrum. ∎ Entomol. a membrane covering the hearing organ on the leg or body of some insects, sometimes adapted (as in cicadas) for producing sound. ∎ archaic a drum. 2. Archit. a vertical recessed triangular space forming the center of a pediment, typically decorated. ∎ a similar space over a door between the lintel and the arch. |
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"tympanum." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "tympanum." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-tympanum.html "tympanum." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-tympanum.html |
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tympanum
tympanum (Greek: ‘drum’; plural: tympana). Architectural term for the space enclosed between the lintel of a doorway and an arch over it; the term is also applied to similar spaces, such as the triangle enclosed by a classical pediment. The tympanum has no structural function and is often richly carved; some of the chief glories of Romanesque sculpture are tympanum decorations (see, for example, Gislebertus).
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IAN CHILVERS. "tympanum." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. IAN CHILVERS. "tympanum." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O2-tympanum.html IAN CHILVERS. "tympanum." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O2-tympanum.html |
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tympanum
tympanum (tympanic membrane; eardrum) The membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. It vibrates in response to sound waves and transmits these vibrations via the ear ossicles of the middle ear to the site of hearing (the cochlea of the inner ear). In amphibians and some reptiles there is no external ear and the tympanum is exposed at the skin surface.
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"tympanum." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "tympanum." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-tympanum.html "tympanum." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-tympanum.html |
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tympanum
tympanum drum, tambourine, etc.; ear-drum. XVII. — L. — Gr. túmpanon drum, f. nasalized var. of base of túptein strike.
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T. F. HOAD. "tympanum." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "tympanum." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-tympanum.html T. F. HOAD. "tympanum." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-tympanum.html |
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tympanum
tympanum, tympana. The kettledrum(s) as spelt in medieval documents (sometimes tymbal), but the modern spelling timpani is now standard.
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MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "tympanum." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "tympanum." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O76-tympanum.html MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "tympanum." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O76-tympanum.html |
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tympanum
tympanum (timp-ă-nŭm) n. the middle ear (tympanic cavity) and/or the eardrum (tympanic membrane).
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"tympanum." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "tympanum." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-tympanum.html "tympanum." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-tympanum.html |
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tympanum
tympanum See TYMPANIC MEMBRANE.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "tympanum." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "tympanum." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-tympanum.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "tympanum." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-tympanum.html |
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tympanum
tympanum
•minimum • maximum • optimum
•chrysanthemum, helianthemum
•cardamom • Pergamum • sesamum
•per annum • magnum • damnum
•Arnhem, Barnum
•envenom, venom
•interregnum • Cheltenham • arcanum
•duodenum, plenum
•platinum • antirrhinum • Bonham
•summum bonum • Puttnam
•ladanum • molybdenum • laudanum
•origanum, polygonum
•organum • tympanum
•laburnum, sternum
•gingham • Gillingham • Birmingham
•Cunningham • Walsingham
•Nottingham • wampum • carom
•Abram • panjandrum • tantrum
•angstrom • alarum • candelabrum
•plectrum, spectrum
•arum, harem, harum-scarum, Sarum
•sacrum, simulacrum
•maelstrom • cerebrum • pyrethrum
•Ingram
•sistrum, Tristram
•Hiram
•grogram, pogrom
•nostrum, rostrum
•cockalorum, decorum, forum, jorum, Karakoram, Karakorum, Mizoram, pons asinorum, quorum
•wolfram • fulcrum • Durham
•conundrum • buckram • lustrum
•serum, theorem
•labarum • marjoram • pittosporum
•Rotherham • Bertram
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"tympanum." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "tympanum." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-tympanum.html "tympanum." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-tympanum.html |
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