Athenaeum
English
Alternative forms
- athenaeum
- Athenæum
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin Athenaeum, from Ancient Greek Ᾰ̓θήναιον (Athḗnaion), from Ἀθήνη (Athḗnē, “Athene”).
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /aθɪˈniːəm/
Noun
Athenaeum (plural Athenaeums or Athenaea)
- (Ancient Greece) A temple primarily dedicated to Athena or her Roman equivalent Minerva, especially that of Athens.
- 1728, Ephraim Chambers, Cyclopaedia, s.v. "Athenaeum":
- The Athenaea were built in form of Amphitheatres.
- 1728, Ephraim Chambers, Cyclopaedia, s.v. "Athenaeum":
- Alternative form of athenaeum: a literary or scientific club, especially that of Boston.
- 1840, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Grandfather's Chair:
- “O Grandfather, tell us all about that Indian Bible!” exclaimed Laurence. “I have seen it in the library of the Athenaeum; and the tears came into my eyes to think that there were no Indians left to read it.”
- 1893, Thomas Bailey Aldrich, An Old Town By The Sea:
- Among the prominent buildings is the Athenaeum, containing a reading-room and library.
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- Alternative form of athenaeum: the reading room or library of such clubs, especially the London Athenaeum Club.
- Alternative form of athenaeum: a literary or scientific periodical, especially the London Athenaeum.
Translations
temple
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References
- "Athenaeum, n.", in the Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Further reading
Boston Athenæum on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
The Athenaeum (British magazine) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia