Definition of tympanum
plural tympana
play
\-nə\
also tympanums
1 a (1)
:tympanic membrane
(2)
:middle ear
b
:a thin tense membrane covering an organ of hearing of an insect — see insect illustration
c
:a membranous resonator in a sound-producing organ
2 a
:the recessed usually triangular face of a pediment within the frame made by the upper and lower cornices
b
:the space within an arch and above a lintel or a subordinate arch
Writing? Check your grammar now!