Vault Meaning
/vɒlt/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAn arched masonry structure supporting and forming a ceiling, whether freestanding or forming part of a larger building.
nounAny arched ceiling or roof.
Sentence Examples
He was allegedly seduced by her into giving the key to the vault.
Dan broke into the vault and stole millions of dollars.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The bank keeps its gold bars in a heavily guarded underground ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The bank keeps its most valuable items in a secure ____ that is protected by several advanced security systems today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English vaute, vowte, from Old French volte (modern voûte), from Vulgar Latin *volta < *volvita or *volŭta, a regularization of Latin volūta (compare modern volute (“spire”)), the past participle of volvere (“roll, turn”). Cognate with Spanish vuelta (“turn”) and Portuguese volta ("turn"). Doublet of volute. Displaced native Old English hwealf.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"the long-drawn aisle and fretted vault"
— 1750 June 12 (date written; published 1751), T[homas] Gray, “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”, in Designs by Mr. R[ichard] Bentley, for Six Poems by Mr. T. Gray, London: […] R[obert] Dodsley, […], published 1753, →OCLC:
"His fiery eies are fixt vpon the earth.
As if he now deuiſ’d some Stratageme:
Or meant to pierce Auernus darkſome vauts.
To pull the triple headed dog from hell."
— c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act I, scene ii:
"Had I your tongues and eyes, Il’d vſe them so,
That Heauens vault ſhould crack: ſhe’s gone for euer."
— c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iii], page 308:
"The ſilent vaults of Death, vnknowne to Light;
And Hell it ſelfe, lye naked to his ſight."
— 1636, George Sandys, “A Paraphrase upon Job”, in A Paraphrase upon the Divine Poems:
"No bird flew in the blue vault of heaven, no man or beast moved upon the vast countryside which lay before us."
— 1913, Arthur Conan Doyle, “(please specify the page)”, in The Poison Belt […], London; New York, N.Y.: Hodder and Stoughton, →OCLC:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The bank keeps its gold bars in a heavily guarded underground ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The bank keeps its most valuable items in a secure ____ that is protected by several advanced security systems today.