tympan

noun

tym·​pan ˈtim-pən 

1

: drum entry 1 sense 1

2

: a sheet (as of paper or cloth) placed between the impression surface of a press and the paper to be printed

3

: tympanum sense 2

Word History

Etymology

in sense 1, from Middle English, from Old English timpana, from Latin tympanum; in other senses, from Medieval Latin & Latin tympanum

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1