vaulting
vaulting Lexical Profile
vaulting Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Excessively or extravagantly ambitious; overreaching and presumptuous.
"The novel traces the downfall of a politician consumed by vaulting ambition."
Rising high in an arch or curve; soaring.
"Sunlight streamed through the tall windows beneath the vaulting roof of the train station."
• noun
An arched structure of masonry usually forming a ceiling or roof, or such arches and vaults collectively.
"The medieval cathedral is celebrated for its intricate stone rib vaulting."
The gymnastic, equestrian, or athletic sport or act of leaping over an obstacle or performing acrobatics on a moving horse.
"She won her first championship medal in artistic gymnastics for her flawless execution in vaulting."
Word Nuance & Usage
As an adjective meaning 'excessive' or 'overconfident', 'vaulting' is an attributive-only modifier most famously used in the Shakespearean collocation 'vaulting ambition' from Macbeth.
• Rhymes for vaulting
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the verb and noun 'vault', which entered Middle English via Old French 'voute' from Vulgar Latin '*volvita' (a turn or arch), ultimately from Latin 'volvere' (to roll or turn).