| 释义 |
pyr·a·mid
I. \ˈpirəˌmid, in rapid speech sometimes -rˌm-\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Latin pyramid-, pyramis, from Greek
1.
a. : an ancient massive structure of huge stone blocks found especially in Egypt having typically a square ground plan, outside walls in the form of four triangles that meet in a point at the top, and inner sepulchral chambers
b. : any architectural structure (as a spire or pinnacle) of similar form
c. : an ancient truncate pyramidal structure found in Mexico and Central America that served as a foundation for a building or a platform for an altar
2. : a polyhedron having for its base a polygon and for its other faces triangles with a common vertex — see volume table
3. : an object or figure of pyramidal form or with the shape or profile of a pyramid
< a pyramid of cartons >
< the frosty pyramid of a well-shaped blue spruce >
as
a. : a tree pruned and trained in pyramidal shape
b. : a crystalline form each face of which intersects the vertical axis and either two lateral axes or in a tetragonal system one lateral axis — compare dipyramid
c. : an anatomical structure resembling a pyramid: as
(1) : a petrous bone
(2) : a conical projection making up the central part of the inferior vermis of the cerebellum
(3) : pyramid of the medulla
(4) : malpighian pyramid
d. : one of the five large vertical sections of the Aristotle's lantern of a sea urchin
e. : pyramid shell
4.
a. : verse in which the succeeding lines increase in length
b. : a graphic representation of a statistical distribution (as of a population on the basis of age and sex categories) that has essentially the form of a triangle or wedge
c. : a tridimensional diagrammatic representation representing sensory relationships
5. : an English pool game played with 15 red balls and a white cue ball in which the player pocketing the most balls wins but loses a point each time he pockets the white ball or misses his aim
6.
a. : an immaterial structure built upon a broad supporting base and narrowing gradually to an apex (as of power, dominance, or significance)
< families at the base of a socioeconomic pyramid >
b.
(1) : a group of holding companies superimposed one on another to give those in control of the top holding company control over the whole pyramid with a small investment
(2) : the series of operations involved in pyramiding on an exchange
c. : chain letter
 [pyramid 2]
II. verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
intransitive verb
1. : to assume or to become disposed in the form of a pyramid
2.
a. : to enlarge one's holdings on an exchange on a continued rise by using paper profits as margin to buy additional amounts
b. : to superimpose holding companies so as to reduce the investment required to control enterprises
3. : to increase rapidly and progressively step by step on a broadening base that supports a concomitant upward trend
< demand for more efficient insecticides continues to pyramid >
transitive verb
1. : to arrange, place, build up, or construct in a pyramidal form or as if upon the base of a pyramid : heap up
< pyramid arguments upon a hypothesis >
< pyramided his gains by careful reinvestment >
2. : to use or to deal in (as a stock or commodity) in a pyramiding transaction |