Added 9 October 2026
vault
/vɒlt/ noun
In Latin: fornix, camera Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about vault at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- A burial chamber (usually underground).
- A strongroom or compartment (often made of steel) for safekeeping of valuables.
- An arched brick or stone ceiling or roof.
verb
Origin
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.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)