Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Pyramid

Pyr′a-mid

,
Noun.
[L.
pyramis
,
-idis
, fr. Gr. [GREEK], [GREEK], of Egyptian origin: cf. F.
pyramide
.]
1.
A solid body standing on a triangular, square, or polygonal base, and terminating in a point at the top; especially, a structure or edifice of this shape.
2.
(Geom.)
A solid figure contained by a plane rectilineal figure as base and several triangles which have a common vertex and whose bases are sides of the base.
3.
pl.
(Billiards)
The game of pool in which the balls are placed in the form of a triangle at spot.
[Eng.]
Altitude of a pyramid
(Geom.)
,
the perpendicular distance from the vertex to the plane of the base.
Axis of a pyramid
(Geom.)
,
a straight line drawn from the vertex to the center of the base.
Earth pyramid
.
(Geol.)
See
Earth pillars
, under
Earth
.
Right pyramid
(Geom.)
a pyramid whose axis is perpendicular to the base.

Webster 1828 Edition


Pyramid

PYR'AMID

,
Noun.
[L. pyramis. The origin and composition of this word are not ascertained. It is supposed that the Gr. fire, forms one of its component parts.] A solid body standing on a triangular, square or polygonal base, and terminating in a point at the top; or in geometry, a solid figure consisting of several triangles,whose bases are all in the same plane,and which have one common vertex.
The pyramids of Egypt may have been erected to the sun, during the prevalence of Sabianism.
A pyramid is formed by the meeting of three or more planes at a point termed the apex.

Definition 2024


Pyramid

Pyramid

See also: pyramid

English

The initial layout of the game of Pyramid.

Alternative forms

Noun

Pyramid (uncountable)

  1. (card games) A solitaire card game where the cards are arranged as a triangle (a "pyramid") and the object is to get the cards from the bottom to the top.

pyramid

pyramid

See also: Pyramid

English

The Great Pyramids of Giza.
The initial layout of the game of Pyramid.

Alternative forms

Noun

pyramid (plural pyramids)

  1. An ancient massive construction with a square or rectangular base and four triangular sides meeting in an apex, such as those built as tombs in Egypt or as bases for temples in Mesoamerica.
  2. A construction in the shape of a pyramid, usually with a square or rectangular base.
    • 2014 September 7, “Doddington's garden pyramid is a folly good show: The owners of a Lincolnshire stately home have brought the folly into the 21st century, by building a 30ft pyramid [print edition: Great pyramid of Lincolnshire, 6 September 2014, p. G2]”, in The Daily Telegraph, London:
      [T]he owners of Doddington Hall, in Lincolnshire, have brought the folly into the 21st century, by building a 30ft pyramid in the grounds of the Elizabethan manor.
  3. (geometry) A solid with triangular lateral faces and a polygonal (often square or rectangular) base.
  4. (Britain, dated) The game of pool in which the balls are placed in the form of a triangle at spot.
  5. A pyramid scheme.
  6. (card games, uncountable) Alternative letter-case form of Pyramid. (a solitaire card game)
  7. (card games) The triangular layout of cards in the game of Pyramid.
    Build your pyramid with all cards face down, except the cards in the bottom row.

Quotations

For usage examples of this term, see Citations:pyramid.

Derived terms

Translations

See also

Verb

pyramid (third-person singular simple present pyramids, present participle pyramiding, simple past and past participle pyramided)

  1. to build up or be arranged in the form of a pyramid
  2. (transitive, genetics) To combine (a series of genes) into a single genotype.
  3. (intransitive) To employ, or take part in, a pyramid scheme.

Swedish

Pronunciation

  • Rhymes: -iːd

Noun

pyramid c

  1. (geometry) pyramid
  2. Pyramid-shaped construction.

Declension

Inflection of pyramid 
Singular Plural
Indefinite Definite Indefinite Definite
Nominative pyramid pyramiden pyramider pyramiderna
Genitive pyramids pyramidens pyramiders pyramidernas

Related terms

  • pyramidspel

See also