pyramid [LME] The word pyramid was first used in English in the geometrical sense. It came via Latin from Greek puramis, which also meant a type of cake. This is taken by some to be the earlier sense, the geometrical sense arising from a resemblance in shape. An Egyptian origin is now generally rejected.Pediment [L16th] for the triangular upper part of a building was formerly written as periment and may be an alteration of pyramid.