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vault¹

(vôlt)

a. An arched structure, usually of masonry or concrete, serving to cover a space.

b. An arched overhead covering, such as the sky, that resembles the architectural structure in form.

2. A room or space, such as a cellar or storeroom, with an arched ceiling, especially when underground.

3. A room or compartment, often built of steel, for the safekeeping of valuables: a bank vault.

4. A burial chamber, especially when underground.

5. Anatomy An arched part of the body, especially the top part of the skull.

tr.v. vault·ed, vault·ing, vaults

1. To construct or supply with an arched ceiling; cover with a vault.

2. To build or make in the shape of a vault; arch.

[Middle English vaute, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *volvita, volta, from feminine of *volvitus, arched, alteration of Latin volūtus, past participle of volvere, to roll; see wel-² in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

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vault¹

top to bottom: barrel, groin, and rib vaults

vault²

(vôlt)

v. vault·ed, vault·ing, vaults

v.tr.

To jump or leap over, especially with the aid of a support such as the hands or a pole.

v.intr.

1. To jump or leap, especially with the use of the hands or a pole.

2. To accomplish something suddenly or vigorously: vaulted into a position of wealth.

1. The act of vaulting; a jump.

2. A piece of gymnastic equipment with an upholstered body used especially for vaulting. Also called vaulting horse.

[Obsolete French volter, from Old French, from Old Italian voltare, from Vulgar Latin *volvitāre, frequentative of Latin volvere, to turn, roll; see wel-² in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

vaulter n.

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vault 2

Thomas Bouhail of France at the 2009 European Men's Artistic Gymnastics Championships

Milan, Italy

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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