Main Entry: cu·po·la

Pronunciation: \ˈkyü-pə-lə, ÷-ˌlō\

Function: noun

Etymology: Italian, from Latin cupula, diminutive of cupa tub

Date: 1549

1 a : a rounded vault resting on a usually circular base and forming a roof or a ceiling b : a small structure built on top of a roof
2 : a vertical cylindrical furnace for melting iron in the foundry that has tuyeres and tapping spouts near the bottom
3 : a raised observation post in the roof of a railroad caboose

— cu·po·laed \-ləd, ÷-ˌlōd\ adjective