vault1

 
Pronunciation: /vɔːlt/

noun

  • 1a roof in the form of an arch or a series of arches, typical of churches and other large, formal buildings: a Gothic ribbed vault
  • literary a thing resembling an arched roof, especially the sky: the vault of heaven
  • Anatomy the arched roof of a cavity, especially that of the skull: the cranial vault
  • 2a large room or chamber used for storage, especially an underground one: a wine vault
  • a secure room in a bank in which valuables are stored: the masterpieces were deposited in the vaults of Swiss banks
  • a chamber beneath a church or in a graveyard used for burials: a family vault

verb

[with object] (usually as adjective vaulted)
  • provide (a building or room) with an arched roof or roofs: a vaulted arcade
  • construct (a roof) in the form of a vault: an unusual brick vaulted ceiling

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French voute, based on Latin volvere 'to roll'