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pyramidal

 - 3 dictionary results

py⋅ram⋅i⋅dal

[pi-ram-i-dl]
–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


py⋅ram⋅i⋅dal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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.

  1. The transactions involved in pyramiding stock.

  2. 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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Medical Dictionary

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>
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