† ˈpyrame Obs. rare.
Also 4–5 piram, -e, 7 piramee.
[Shortened from L. pȳramis pyramid, perh. by taking piramis, pirames as a pl.]
1. Applied by Trevisa to the cone or pencil of rays entering the eye from any object; see pyramid n. 2.
| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. iii. xvii. (Harl. MS.) lf. 14 b/2 [Al þe lynes þat ben y-drawe from alle þe partyes of þe þing þat is i-seon, he makeþ a piramis [L. faciunt piramidem] in schape as a top [Tollemache MS. trompe], & þe poynt þerof is in þe blak of þe eyȝe]. Ibid. 15/1 Þerfor nedes yt nedeþ to have a piram [ed. 1495 pyrame] a schelde oþer a toppe of liȝt, & al þe piramis þo poyntes be in þe eyȝen & þe brode endes in þe þinges þat ben i-seyen. Ibid. (Add. MS.), Whanne þe liknes of þe þing comeþ to þe siȝt upon þese pirames [ed. 1495 piramis], þenne þe liknes of liȝt & colour passiþ by þe smale curtiles & humoures of þe eiȝe. |
2. A pyramid, spire, or steeple: see pyramid 3.
| 1604 Hieron Papists Rime Answ. Wks. 1620 I. 574 Well may the heathen people boast Of piramees & churches cost. |