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| tym·pan [ tímpən ] (plural tym·pans) |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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1. printing part of printing press: a piece of padding that fits between the impression cylinder of a printing press and the paper to be printed so as to ensure a uniform image
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2. architecture
Same as tympanum (sense 1)
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3. acoustics vibrating membrane: a membrane or diaphragm that vibrates to produce or transmit sound, e.g. the skin on a drum or the diaphragm in a telephone receiver
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| [Pre-12th century. < Latin tympanum "drum" (see tympanum)] |
