Cu"po*la (k?"p?-l?), n.; pl.
Cupolas (-l&?;z).
[It. cupola, LL.
cupula, cuppula (cf. L. cupula little tub). fr. cupa,
cuppa, cup; cf. L.
cupa tub. So called on account of
its resemblance to a cup turned over. See Cup, and cf. Cupule.]
1. (Arch.) A roof having a
rounded form, hemispherical
or nearly so; also, a ceiling having the same form. When on
a large scale it is
usually called dome.
2. A small structure standing on the top of a dome; a lantern.
3. A furnace for
melting iron or other metals in large quantity, -- used chiefly
in foundries and steel works.
4. A revolving shot-proof turret for heavy ordnance.
5. (Anat.) The top of the spire of the
cochlea of the ear.
Hear it pronounced