tympanum

A fast-rising artist who had been commissioned at a young age to design the tympanum over the central doors of the National Cathedral, Hart was working in a long, historical tradition of realistic representation.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 1, 2017

The ear canal extends inward from the pinna to a circular membrane called the tympanum.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

“Mahna Mahna” is as catchy as a song can be, like a fishing hook stuck in your tympanum.

From Slate ● Nov. 23, 2011

Over the entrance door into one of the earlier funerary chambers, a Greco-Roman triangular tympanum illustrates the gradual penetration of Hellenistic motifs.

From New York Times ● Jul. 23, 2010

A few beggars lay under the great tympanum of Notre Dame’s doorway.

From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz

The Crucifixion as a subject for representation on such tympana is said to be rare, the Last Judgment being the one usually selected.

From Somerset by G. W. Wade

Generally, however, throughout Germany the wrought iron grilles are fine examples of forging, and they are employed for the enclosures of the numerous fountains, in the tympana of gateways, and for the protection of windows.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 5 "Greek Law" to "Ground-Squirrel" by Various

The tympana of these doors, formerly lighted, have been bricked up.

From Rheims and the Battles for its Possession Illustrated Michelin Guides to the Battle-Fields (1914-1918) by Various

They have less ornament, the medallions and the carved tympana of the nave being alike absent, although there are the same small heads at the angles of the pier arches.

From Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Wells A Description of Its Fabric and a Brief History of the Episcopal See by Percy Dearmer

The tympana of these arches above were pierced to north, south, and west by three windows now built up but whose outlines are still visible beneath the whitewash which has been daubed over them.

From Byzantine Churches in Constantinople Their History and Architecture by Alexander Van Millingen

Last week he had the thrill of seeing his bellowing affect not just the ear of some baffled layman but the tympanums of that knowing politician, the Head of the Democratic Party.

From Time Magazine Archive

Old Boer Senators leaned forward, hand behind ear in order that not one word of the Prince's English should escape their Dutch-hardened tympanums.

From Time Magazine Archive

The masons put together the pieces of the rose window and installed the tympanums and voussoirs over the doors.

From "Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction" by David Macaulay

Traffic may he obstructed, and tympanums be rent, The noise may torture sufferers with sickness well-nigh spent; But these be merely trifles.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 99, July 12, 1890 by Various

Crude mosaics in the tympanums above are a jarring colour note which one would willingly suppress.

From Cathedral Cities of Italy by William Wiehe Collins