dome

views updated

dome / dōm/ • n. 1. a rounded vault forming the roof of a building or structure, typically with a circular base: the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral. ∎  the revolving openable hemispherical roof of an observatory. ∎  [in names] a sports stadium with a domed roof.2. a thing shaped like such a roof, in particular: ∎  the rounded summit of a hill or mountain: the great dome of Mont Blanc. ∎  a natural vault or canopy, such as that of the sky or trees: the dome of the sky. ∎  Geol. a rounded uplifted landform or underground structure. ∎ inf. the top of the head: a content face topped by a shaved dome.3. poetic/lit. a stately building.• v. [tr.] [usu. as adj.] (domed) cover with or shape as a dome: a domed stadium. ∎  [intr.] [often as n.] (doming) (of stratified rock or a surface) become rounded in formation; swell.DERIVATIVES: dome·like / -ˌlīk/ adj.

More From encyclopedia.com