n. [ F. cylindre, OF. cilindre, L. cylindrus, fr. Gr. ky`lindros, fr. kyli`ndein, kyli`ein, to roll. Cf. Calender the machine. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Geom.) (a) A solid body which may be generated by the rotation of a parallelogram round one its sides; or a body of rollerlike form, of which the longitudinal section is oblong, and the cross section is circular. (b) The space inclosed by any cylindrical surface. The space may be limited or unlimited in length. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Any hollow body of cylindrical form, as: (a) The chamber of a steam engine in which the piston is moved by the force of steam. (b) The barrel of an air or other pump. (c) (Print.) The revolving platen or bed which produces the impression or carries the type in a cylinder press. (d) The bore of a gun; the turning chambered breech of a revolver. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The revolving square prism carrying the cards in a Jacquard loom. [ 1913 Webster ]

Cylinder axis. (Anat.) See Axis cylinder, under Axis. --
Cylinder engine (Paper Making), a machine in which a cylinder takes up the pulp and delivers it in a continuous sheet to the dryers. --
Cylinder escapement. See Escapement. --
Cylinder glass. See Glass. --
Cylinder mill. See Roller mill. --
Cylinder press. See Press. [ 1913 Webster ]

. In a variable expansion central-valve engine, a small auxiliary engine for automatically adjusting the steam distribution to the load on the main engine. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]