vault
1. an arched structure, usually made of stones, concrete, or bricks, forming a ceiling or roof over a hall, room, sewer, or other wholly or partially enclosed construction.
2. an arched structure resembling a vault.
3. a space, chamber, or passage enclosed by a vault or vaultlike structure, esp. one located underground.
4. an underground chamber, as a cellar or a division of a cellar.
5. a room or compartment, often built of or lined with steel, reserved for the storage and safekeeping of valuables, esp. such a place in a bank.
6. a strong metal cabinet, usually fireproof and burglarproof, for the storage and safekeeping of valuables, important papers, etc.
7. a burial chamber.
8. Anatomy. an arched roof of a cavity.
9. something likened to an arched roof: the vault of heaven.
?verb (used with object)
10. to construct or cover with a vault.
11. to make in the form of a vault; arch.
12. to extend or stretch over in the manner of an arch; overarch: An arbor vaulted the path.
13. to store in a vault: The paintings will be vaulted when the museum is closed.
?verb (used without object)
14. to curve or bend in the form of a vault.
[Origin: 1300?50; (n.) alter. of ME voute < OF vou(l)te, volte < VL *volvita, for L vol?ta, n. use of fem. ptp. of L volvere to turn (see revolve); (v.) alter. of ME vouten < OF vou(l)ter, volter, deriv. of vou(l)te, volte]