Ceiling \Ceil"ing\, n. [See Cell, v. t.]

1. (Arch.)
   (a) The inside lining of a room overhead; the under side of the floor above; the upper surface opposite to the floor.
   (b) The lining or finishing of any wall or other surface, with plaster, thin boards, etc.; also, the work when done.

2. (Naut.) The inner planking of a vessel.

Camp ceiling. See under Camp.

Ceiling boards, Thin narrow boards used to ceil with.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Ceil \Ceil\ (s[=e]l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ceiled (s[=e]ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Ceiling.]

[From an older noun, fr. F. ciel heaven, canopy, fr. L. caelum heaven, vault, arch, covering; cf. Gr. koi^los hollow.]

1. To overlay or cover the inner side of the roof of; to furnish with a ceiling; as, to ceil a room.

The greater house he ceiled with fir tree. --2 Chron. iii. 5

2. To line or finish a surface, as of a wall, with plaster, stucco, thin boards, or the like.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)