vaulting
C1Formal/Literary/Technical
Definition
Meaning
The act or action of leaping or springing over something, especially using the hands or a pole for support. Also refers to the arched structure forming a roof or ceiling.
Ambitious or aspiring to an excessive degree; overreaching. In equestrian sports, the gymnastic discipline of performing acrobatics on a moving horse.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term bridges concrete physical actions (jumping, architectural structure) and abstract psychological states (overreaching ambition). The adjective sense ('vaulting ambition') is almost exclusively literary.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Equestrian vaulting is a niche discipline known in both regions. Architectural sense is identical.
Connotations
Identical. The Shakespearean 'vaulting ambition' is a canonical literary reference in both cultures.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both, though the architectural sense might be slightly more common in UK contexts discussing historical buildings.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[subject] + vault + [over/onto/into] + [object][subject] + be + vaulting + (adjective)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “vaulting ambition (which o'erleaps itself)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly metaphorical: 'The CEO's vaulting ambition led to reckless expansion.'
Academic
Used in architecture/history ('Gothic vaulting'), sports science ('biomechanics of vaulting'), and literary analysis.
Everyday
Rare. Primarily for the physical action: 'He was vaulting over the fence.'
Technical
Specific in architecture (structural support), gymnastics/equestrian sports (disciplines).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The burglar was vaulting over garden walls to escape.
- She practised vaulting onto the platform.
American English
- The player vaulted over the defender to score.
- He's been vaulting fences since he was a kid.
adjective
British English
- His vaulting ambition was his ultimate downfall.
- The novel critiques vaulting political pride.
American English
- The plan failed due to vaulting overconfidence.
- She warned against his vaulting aspirations.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cat is vaulting over the wall.
- He likes vaulting in gym class.
- Pole vaulting is an Olympic sport.
- The old church has beautiful stone vaulting.
- The gymnast's vaulting technique was flawless.
- Equestrian vaulting requires immense balance and strength.
- The CEO's vaulting ambition ignored all market warnings.
- The Gothic architects perfected the art of ribbed vaulting.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a VAULT (a secure leap or an arched roof) + ING. You are DOING a vault, either physically or with your ambition.
Conceptual Metaphor
AMBITION IS A LEAP OVER AN OBSTACLE (often into danger).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'свод' (arch) when the context is about jumping. The verb 'to vault' is not 'опрокидывать' (to overturn). 'Vaulting ambition' is not simply 'большие амбиции' but implies reckless, overreaching ones.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'vaulting' as a standard adjective for 'high' (e.g., 'vaulting prices' is incorrect). Confusing 'pole vaulting' (the sport) with 'vaulting pole' (the equipment).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'vaulting' used to describe a structural element?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's rare and almost exclusively literary, most famously in Shakespeare's 'vaulting ambition.'
'Vaulting' specifically implies using hands or a pole for support to clear an object. 'Jumping' is more general.
Yes, in architecture, it refers to an arched roof or ceiling structure, like in a cathedral.
Yes, 'pole vaulting' is the sport where an athlete uses a pole to vault over a high bar.