ceiling
pronunciation
How to pronounce ceiling in British English:
UK [ˈsiːlɪŋ]
How to pronounce ceiling in American English:
US [ˈsiːlɪŋ]
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- Noun:
- the overhead upper surface of a room
- (meteorology) altitude of the lowest layer of clouds
- an upper limit on what is allowed
- maximum altitude at which a plane can fly (under specified conditions)
Word Origin
- ceiling
- ceiling: [14] Ceiling is something of a mystery word. It originally signified the internal lining of any part of a building, including walls as well as roof (the modern sense ‘overhead inside surface of a room’ began to crystallize out in the 16th century), and the material of which it was made took in wooden planks and even tapestry hangings, as well as plaster. But where it comes from is not at all clear.It has no apparent relations in other modern European languages, and the likeliest candidate as a source may be Latin caelāre ‘carve, engrave’. This is perhaps endorsed by an item in the accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, 1497, revealing how a ‘carver’ was paid £2 14s for ‘the ceiling of the chapel’ – an indication that the underlying notion of ceiling may be ‘carved internal surface of a room’.
- ceiling (n.)
- mid-14c., celynge, "act of paneling a room," noun formed (with -ing) from Middle English verb ceil "put a cover or ceiling over," later "cover (walls) with wainscoting, panels, etc." (early 15c.); probably from Middle French celer "to conceal," also "cover with paneling" (12c.), from Latin celare (see cell). Probably influenced by Latin caelum "heaven, sky" (see celestial). Extended to the paneling itself from late 14c. The meaning "top surface of a room" is attested by 1530s. Figurative sense "upper limit" is from 1934. Colloquial figurative phrase hit the ceiling "lose one's temper, get explosively angry" attested by 1908; earlier it meant "to fail" (by 1900, originally U.S. college slang). Glass ceiling in the figurative sense of "invisible barrier that prevents women from advancing" in management, etc., is attested from 1988.
Antonym
Example
- 1. I examine a stain on the tile ceiling .
- 2. Those exceeding the data ceiling would be charged accordingly .
- 3. The sistine chapel ceiling painted by michelangelo .
- 4. No ceiling light fixture here , this is the diamond among the rough .
- 5. The glass ceiling is one of six mba challenge shortlisted teams .