Added 9 October 2026
pyramid
/ˈpɪɹ.ə.mɪd/ noun
In Latin: pyramis Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about pyramid at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- A polyhedron having a polygonal base and triangular sides with a common vertex.
- (stock market) a series of transactions in which the speculator increases his holdings by using the rising market value of those holdings as margin for further purchases.
- A massive monument with a square base and four triangular sides; begun by Cheops around 2700 BC as royal tombs in ancient Egypt.
verb
Origin
From French pyramide, from Old French piramide, from Latin pȳramis, pȳramidis, from Ancient Greek πῡραμίς (pūramís), possibly from πῡρός (pūrós, “wheat”) + ἀμάω (amáō, “reap”) or from Egyptian pr-m-ws (“height of a pyramid”), from pr (“(one that) comes forth”) + m (“from”) + ws (“height”). Schenkel and K. Lang proposed hypothetical Coptic *ⲡⲓⲣⲁⲙ (*piram) or *ⲫⲣⲁⲙ (*phram) derived from Egyptian mr via metathesis as a source of πῡραμίς (pūramís) while Schenkel also suggested it being the source of Arabic هَرَم (haram) although the latter is considered far-fetched by Takacs.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)