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Definition of pyramidal - 5 dictionary results

py⋅ram⋅i⋅dal

  [pi-ram-i-dl]
Use pyramidal in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of, pertaining to, or shaped like a pyramid: the pyramidal form.
2. of the nature of a pyramid; pyramidlike.
Origin:
1565–75; < ML pȳramidālis; see pyramid, -al 1

Related forms:
py⋅ram⋅i⋅dal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To pyramidal
pyr·a·mid   (pĭr'ə-mĭd)   
n.  
    1. A solid figure with a polygonal base and triangular faces that meet at a common point.
    2. Something shaped like this polyhedron.
    3. A massive monument of ancient Egypt having a rectangular base and four triangular faces culminating in a single apex, built over or around a crypt or tomb.
    4. Any of various similar constructions, especially a four-sided Mesoamerican temple having stepped sides and a flat top surmounted by chambers.
    1. A massive monument of ancient Egypt having a rectangular base and four triangular faces culminating in a single apex, built over or around a crypt or tomb.
    2. Any of various similar constructions, especially a four-sided Mesoamerican temple having stepped sides and a flat top surmounted by chambers.
  3. The transactions involved in pyramiding stock.
  4. Anatomy A structure or part suggestive of a pyramid in shape.
v.   pyr·a·mid·ed, pyr·a·mid·ing, pyr·a·mids

v.   tr.
  1. To place or build in the shape of a pyramid.
  2. To build (an argument or thesis, for example) progressively from a basic general premise.
  3. To speculate in (stock) by making a series of buying and selling transactions in which paper profits are used as margin for buying more stock.
v.   intr.
  1. To assume the shape of a pyramid.
  2. To increase rapidly and on a widening base.
  3. To pyramid stocks.

[Latin pȳramis, pȳramid-, from Greek pūramis, probably of Egyptian origin.]
py·ram'i·dal (pĭ-rām'ĭ-dl), pyr'a·mid'ic (-mĭd'ĭk), pyr'a·mid'i·cal (-ĭ-kəl) adj., py·ram'i·dal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Pyramidal

Py*ram`i*dal\, a. [Cf. F. pyramidal.]

1. Of or pertaining to a pyramid; in the form of a a pyramid; pyramidical; as, pyramidal cleavage.

The mystic obelisks stand up Triangular, pyramidal. --Mrs. Browning.

2. (Crystallog.) Same as Tetragonal.

Pyramidal numbers (Math.), certain series of figurate numbers expressing the number of balls or points that may be arranged in the form of pyramids. Thus 1, 4, 10, 20, 35, etc., are triangular pyramidal numbers; and 1, 5, 14, 30, 55, etc., are square pyramidal numbers.

Pyramidal

Py*ram"i*dal\, n. (Anat.) One of the carpal bones. See Cuneiform, n., 2 (b) .
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Main Entry: py·ram·i·dal
Pronunciation: p&-'ram-&d-&l
Function: adjective
1 : of, relating to, or havingthe form of a pyramid
2 : of, relating to, or affecting an anatomical pyramid especially of the central nervous system pyramidal lesion> pyramidal disorder>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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